Brazil ready for US Davis Cup challenge

Rio de Janeiro, Jan 24 (IANS) Brazil’s Davis Cup captain Joao Zwetsch has welcomed the challenge of facing a United States team buoyed by the inclusion of World No.13 John Isner.

Isner had been doubtful for next month’s World Group first-round tie in Jacksonville, United States, after withdrawing from the Australian Open with a right knee injury, reports Xinhua.

He was named in captain Jim Courier’s squad Tuesday alongside World No.22 Sam Querrey and doubles pair Bob and Mike Bryan.

“They are going to have a full-strength team which is what we were expecting. There was some doubt over John Isner but it seems he has made a full recovery. That doesn’t change anything for us. We are going to go out there and battle as hard as we can,” Zwetsch said Wednesday.

The Feb 1-3 tie will be Brazil’s first appearance in the Davis Cup World Group since 2003.

Zwetsch’s team comprises World No.33 Thomaz Bellucci, 145th-ranked Thiago Alves as well as doubles pair Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares.

The winner of the match will face either Serbia or Belgium in the quarterfinals from April 5-7.