The captain likes our chances of staying up.
Barbados’ Davis Cup squad may not have to worry about a relegation tie, as Damien Applewhaite believes his team can finally beat the Dominican Republic in April’s Group I home tie.
The country’s non-playing captain made the call just moments after the hosts failed to win a single set in last weekend’s heavy 4-0 defeat to Colombia.
“I think it’s really going to be an interesting tie, and although we’ve lost these last two most recent times I always say that every tie is a different one so we should like our chances,” Applewhaite explained.
“A lot will depend on Darian’s form coming in during that time in April, and I believe it should be good; so it’s about how he matches up with their top two players Jose Fernandez and Victor Estrella.
“We take each tie as it comes but we won’t be under as much pressure as we were in Group II because we were seeded number one there. In Group I we are always considered the underdogs, so we just have to play well and try to win on the day,” he added.
It will be a steep uphill task to say the least considering Barbados have never defeated the Dominican Republic in three previous matchups, including the last two Group I ties in 2015 and 2016.
And one of those showdowns was here on home soil, where Estrella handed King his first ever Davis Cup singles loss at the National Tennis Centre en route to the visitors’ 3-2 comeback win.
But King has since got the better of the world No. 86 twice, having returned the favour by beating him in straight sets in his own backyard after also taking down Estrella in an ATP Challenger final.
“Victor losing those two matches, Darian will give him a mental leg up for sure; so we’ll take some confidence with that, but we’re not going to take anything for granted because tennis plays on the day,” reasoned Applewhaite.
“We just need more preparation and financial support, especially for Haydn [Lewis] in his lead-up to ties. He benefits from the more matches he plays and if he has more quality matches under his belt going in, then you always see the difference.
“In 2014 against Mexico and then last year against Venezuela he benefited from playing matches overseas, and that showed in his confidence to go out there and win those crucial fifth rubbers,” he added.
Barbados are slated to play the Dominican Republic on April 6 and 7 at the National Tennis Centre, where the winner is guaranteed a spot in Group I next season.
The loser will have to face Ecuador in September in a do-or-die demotion tie. (JM)
