Tennis: Eyes on Spaniards heading this way

By Terry Maddaford

New Zealand Davis Cup captain Jeff Simpson was taking a closer than usual interest in first-round results at the Majorca tennis open yesterday.

On the day the Spaniards named their four-strong team for next week's cup tie in Hamilton, Simpson was keen to learn how the New Zealand-bound players were faring.

"If one or more of them happen to go all the way [to Sunday's final] they probably would not get here until next Wednesday which could be in our favour," said Simpson.

Fernando Vicente, one of the four Spaniards named for the tie, did not last long - going out in three sets to fellow countryman Antonia Viloca.

The three top-ranked Spaniards on the ATP Tour - none headed down under - had mixed fortunes.

Top seed Carlos Moya, struggling with a back injury, went down in three sets; third seed Albert Costa also went out in three; while second seed Alex Corretja got through in straight sets.

Joining Vicente (ranked 40th in the world) in New Zealand will be Felix Mantilla (20th), Francisco Clavet (29) and Julian Alonso (135).

Alonso is the only player with previous Davis Cup experience. He was Spain's sole winner in last year's 4-1 loss to Sweden. Ranked 210, he is the team's highest-rated doubles player.

"Make no mistake, they have named a very strong team," said Simpson. "Even without Moya, Costa and Corretja they have a formidable line-up. While they would prefer to play on clay, they are all good players on any surface."

Mantilla and the experienced Clavet - who turns 31 on the tie's opening day next Friday - have both played in the New Zealand Open.

"They are not taking us lightly," Simpson said.

On current rankings it seems Brett Steven will take the No 1 spot in the New Zealand team which could see him meet Clavet on the first day with Mark Nielsen, likely to take the second singles berth, poised to meet Mantilla.

Simpson has yet to finalise his doubles combination but it seems likely Steven will join James Greenhalgh in the crucial Saturday clash.

"It is always important to win at least one of the first day matches," said Simpson. "We will want to get on the board as it is very hard to come back from 0-2."

If New Zealand does force the tie to the third day, Steven could meet Mantilla in the battle of the top-ranked players first-up. If the tie was still alive after four matches it could be left to Nielsen and Clavet to play the decider.

The New Zealand quartet - with Alistair Hunt (just back from France) to join Steven, Nielsen and Greenhalgh - will continue to train in Auckland this week before going to Hamilton on Sunday.

Meanwhile, former New Zealand No 1 Kelly Evernden has ruled himself out of the race to find Simpson's replacement as Davis Cup [non-playing] captain.

Speaking from Seattle, where he is the tennis coach at an exclusive country club, Evernden said his US commitments would not allow him to give 100 per cent to New Zealand tennis.

"Until I'm able to do that, I would not look at applying," said Evernden.

Steven, who along with Onny Parun is favoured by Evernden for the job vacated after 16 years by Simpson, has also ruled himself out.

Parun and Chris Lewis appear to be the frontrunners for the job. The successful captains for the Davis and Fed Cup teams will be announced by New Zealand Tennis next month.