Fresh from his first ever grand slam win, Wawrinka looks forward to emerge from compatriot Roger Federer’s shadow in Davis Cup as well. PHOTO: AFP
In last Sunday’s final in Melbourne, the new world number three captured his first Grand Slam title with a four-set upset of Rafael Nadal.
Wawrinka told the Melbourne crowd he was looking forward to the tie against the weakened Serbs.
“Davis Cup is really important for me,” he said. “I’m really proud. It’s a big honour to play for my country.”
While Nadal and world number five David Ferrer skip Spain’s tie with Germany in Frankfurt, Serbia must face Wawrinka’s Switzerland without Novak Djokovic.
The Swiss in contrast are looking strong as along with the in-form Wawrinka they boast Roger Federer, who confirmed his presence on Wednesday.
Argentina meanwhile face Italy without their top player, Juan Martin Del Potro, knocked out in the second round at Melbourne.
In Ostrava, world number seven Tomas Berdych leads the Czechs into battle against the Dutch, returning to the Davis Cup fast lane for the first time since 2009.
Czech captain Jaroslav Navratil is upbeat over his team’s prospects.
“We hope to continue our recent run of results,” said Navratil, whose team beat Spain in the 2012 final and then defeated Serbia to retain their crown in Belgrade late last year.
“Berdych is in great form. He is serving brilliantly and is very strong from the baseline.”
Australia make their return to the World Group after a seven-year absence, against France on the indoor clay courts of La Roche sur Yon.
On the red outdoor clay at San Diego’s Petco Park, Great Britain’s world number six Andy Murray leads his team into battle against the United States in a rerun of the first ever Davis Cup tie at Boston’s Longwood Cricket club in 1900.
In other ties, Belgium face Kazakhstan in Astana, and Canada take on Japan in Tokyo, with Kei Nishikori forecasting “a tough match even if we play at home”.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2014.
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