Spain at Belarus

Posted on February 7, 2006

Site: Football Manege, Minsk, Belarus
Surface: Carpet (Taraflex) indoors
Ball: Wilson US Open Regular Duty

Spain is in a world of hurt with Rafael Nadal and former No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero out with injuries, Carlos Moya taking a pass on representing his country, and Spanish captain Emilio Sanchez stuck with some combination of "B"-squaders Dave Ferrer, Tommy Robredo, Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco on the icy indoor carpet.

While the Spaniards would prefer a slow red clay, the home court Belarussians have chosen a slick indoor surface worn slicker by years of play.

"Even though we have some players missing the team is still very competitive," said Sanchez, who opines the Belarus team has taken full advantage of their choice of surface. "The surface they have chosen doesn't allow you to play tennis. If it's new it's fine but if it's old...it is like ice. But it is natural for opponents to choose a surface that will make it as hard as possible for you."

Last year the Belarus tandem of Max "The Beast" Mirnyi and Vladimir "The Vladiator" Voltchkov lost in the first round to Romania, but then beat Canada in the World Group qualifying to retain their spot in the elite group for 2006.

The head-to-heads slightly favor the Spaniards as Mirnyi is 1-1 career vs. Ferrer, 1-2 vs. Robredo, 2-0 vs. Lopez, and 0-1 vs. Verdasco. Voltchkov has never faced Ferrer, is 1-0 vs. Robredo, has never faced Lopez, and is 0-2 vs. Verdasco.

Voltchkov is a bit of a Davis Cup anomaly in the World Group as his ranking allows him to play only Challenger-level events, unless he can qualify or manage a wildcard at the Tour level.

"Belarus have never lost at home and have beaten teams at a similar level to us like Germany and Argentina," Sanchez said. "It will be the players' desire to win that is fundamental to us making it through the tie."