Davis Cup Qualifying Previews: Canada at Romania, Thailand at Russia

While neither nation will make a dent once in the World Group, the battle between the clay-challenged Canucks and the homecourt Romanians hinges on Andrei Pavel's back injury, and the ability of the young Canadians to step up on the red dirt.

Canadian 19-year-old Frank Dancevic, a player with Top 50 potential, has had back problems of his own of late but says he will be fit.

"After the (Masters Series-Canada) I took a couple weeks off, cleared up the back," Dancevic said. "I played a couple challengers right after and it's feeling pretty good right now."

The Romanian Pavel's injury forced him to pull out of the US Open, but he has been undergoing therapy in Romania and says he will also be fit. Pavel maintains a Top 20 ranking, while No. 2 Victor Hanescu is ranked No. 90.

Pavel has never before faced Dancevic or Larose, who spend much of their time slumming on the challenger and futures tours.

Daniel Nestor and Frederik Niemeyer, who are 4-0 career together in D-Cup play, will represent Canada in doubles against the underwhelming Romanian team of Victor Ionita and Florin Mergea.

In typical Euro-fashion the Romanians have turned the red clay courts into a sand pit, much to the dismay of the Canadians.

"They've done everything they could to slow it down," said Canuck captain Martin Laurendeau. "The court is actually very soft and slow and they've supplied us with balls that are just about the slowest and heaviest out there."

In other words, game, set, match Romania.

Thailand at Russia
Site: Sports Palace "Luzhniki," Moscow, RUS
Surface: Red Clay (indoors)
Ball: Roland Garros French Open

This match was over when it was determined that Russia would receive home court advantage, with Thai No. 1 Paradorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan horrible on clay.

Srichaphan will get little help from Thai No. 2 Danai Udomchoke, against the muscular Russian squad of former No. 1 Marat Safin and youngster Igor Andreev, who at the French Open this year beat defending champ Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Back to the minor leagues for the Thais, with The Thai Fighter hoping someone will come up from the junior depths soon to give him a little help in international team play.