The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
DAVIS CUP player Takanyi Garanganga expects that the Romanians will choose to play on clay when they host Zimbabwe in a Europe/Africa Group II tie this year.
It will be the second meeting between the two countries, with first one being a clash which Romania edged Zimbabwe 3-2 back in 2000. Garanganga, who has been active in Europe playing tournaments in the UK and France, appreciates that it will not be an easy task. “They have good players, one of them (is) in the top 100 and there is a high chance the Romanians will choose the clay surface to play on,” he said.
Romania were the top seeded team in the Europe/Africa Group II draw conducted last week and are currently ranked 42 in the world. They lost their latest game 2-3 at home to Poland with their team comprising Marius Copil, the 28-year-old ranked 56 in the singles, Bogdan lonut Apostol (625), Adrian Ungur (unranked) and Horia Tecau who is ranked 29 in the doubles. Zimbabwe are sitting on number 61 and they lost 1-4 away to Poland in their last tie in April 2018. The last time the team had Garanganga, Ben Lock, Mehluli Sibanda and Mark Chigaazira.
This year the Davis Cup will continue using the new format introduced in 2018 whereby ties feature four singles rubbers and a single doubles rubber over two days of action. Garanganga will be hoping to use the experience he is gaining on tour to help Zimbabwe overcome a Romanian side that will go into the tie as strong favourites by virtue of their rankings as well as home advantage.
“Personally I am feeling good about my game right now, (the) season (is) just starting (and) I am healthy. As the weeks progress into the season hopefully my results will get better and better,” he said.
