OWN CORRESPONDENT, Harare | Thursday 5.45pm.
ZIMBABWE will have an unlikely ally in their Davis Cup tie against the United States at Harare this weekend: altitude.
On Thursday, world number-one Andre Agassi said that the team’s first campaign on African soil will be very tough because of the 1500m altitude and the fervent home support.
Wayne Black plays Agassi in the opening singles draw on Friday in front of an expected sell-out 4000-strong crowd at the hard-court indoor arena.
Zimbabweans who expected to see Pete Sampras and Todd Martin will be disappointed, however, as they pulled out of the tie after picking up injuries at the Australian Open. Chris Woodruff makes his debut for the US at the tie.
Byron Black faces the debutante in the second singles on Friday.
The doubles on Saturday will see Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett take on Australian Open doubles winner Rick Leach, and Alex O’Brien. At stake is a second round tie against Britain or the Czech Republic.
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