GB face Argentina on clay
Thursday, 22 Nov 2007 19:33
David Nalbandian is likely to be Argentina's biggest threat
Great Britain have been handed a tough test for their debut Davis Cup tie after winning a place in the World Group for next season.
John Lloyd's side will take on number three seeds Argentina on the clay courts of Parque Roca, Buenos Aires, next February in the first-round tie.
Argentina are regarded as one of the strongest teams in Davis Cup, especially on home soil, with 11 players currently ranked in the ATP top 100.
World number nine David Nalbandian is expected to lead the line for Great Britain's opponents although a number of other high-profile players, including Guillermo Canas (15th), Juan Ignacio Chela (20th) and Juan Monaco (23rd), could also be called up.
Great Britain have only one player ranked inside the top 100 - world number 11 Andy Murray - after team-mate Tim Henman retired from professional tennis after the playoff victory over Croatia that secured the team's place in the World Group.
Murray's older brother Jamie, a doubles specialist, is likely to join Andy in the lineup next year although there remains some doubt over which player will join the Scottish siblings.
Great Britain's Davis Cup captain Lloyd said: "This will probably be the biggest challenge that any of our players have ever faced.
"We're with the big boys now and I can't wait to get out to Argentina to get started. Bring it on."
The Parque Roca arena in Argentina has a total capacity of 15,000 and is expected to play host to a full house for the Davis Cup curtain-raiser, which is scheduled to take place over the weekend of February 8th to 10th.