Davis Cup: France to rely on newcomers against Czech

Injuries mean French travel to Trinec with plenty of fresh blood

PRAGUE: Lucas Pouille and Pierre-Hugues Herbert look set to make a shiny Davis Cup debut propelled by recent Wimbledon success as France take on the Czech Republic this weekend.

On the hardcourt of the Werk Arena in the eastern Czech steel hub of Trinec, world number 21 Pouille will probably join 10th-ranked Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for the singles rubbers in the July 15 to 17 Davis Cup quarter-finals.

Nicolas Mahut and Herbert, the world numbers one and two for doubles, are a clear choice for tomorrow’s rubber after their Wimbledon win in an all-French final against Julien Benneteau and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.



The French have lost world number 14 Richard Gasquet to an injury and 17th-ranked Gael Monfils, who is grappling with a mysterious virus.

The Czechs will miss their number one, eighth-ranked Wimbledon semi-finalist Tomas Berdych, who beat Pouille in the quarter-finals at the All England Club.

Czech captain Jaroslav Navratil has suggested Berdych wanted to rest after Wimbledon and ahead of the Rio Olympics.

Navratil has called up world number 50 Jiri Vesely, 78th-ranked Lukas Rosol, Adam Pavlasek (111) and veteran doubles specialist Radek Stepanek (118).



Despite the difference in rankings, Tsonga believes nothing is certain ahead of the game.

“It’s always been difficult to play them in their country,” said Tsonga. “We will play in Trinec and for sure they will have a good crowd and we will be under pressure for sure.”

On Wednesday, part of the presumed Trinec crowd got a boost as Stepanek, Pavlasek and Navratil put on helmets and overalls and went to the local steelworks.

After spending a few seconds at a blast furnace, Pavlasek vowed to stick to tennis. “I had sweat pouring down my body in no time. I can’t imagine anyone doing this eight hours a day,” he said.

In Pavlasek’s opinion France are the odds-on favourite. “France have a better team and a broader selection of players,” said the 21-year-old. “But we have nothing to lose, we can go there with a clear head and pull a surprise.”



Murray to miss quarter-final

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray will miss Britain’s Davis Cup quarter-final clash against Serbia with captain Leon Smith naming Kyle Edmund and James Ward as his two singles players on Wednesday.

Murray was instrumental in helping Britain to their first Davis Cup victory for 79 years last November, but had suggested it was unlikely he would feature against Serbia, who are also missing their talisman Novak Djokovic.

In the doubles, Andy’s brother Jamie, ranked fifth in the world, will partner doubles specialist Dominic Inglot.

The quarter-finals will take place between July 15 and 17 at the Tasmajdan Stadium in Belgrade.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2016.

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