Canadians Milos Raonic and Daniel Nestor finally waived participation in the first round of the Davis Cup against France, played next weekend, from 4 to 6 March in Baie-Mahault in Guadeloupe. The first is still suffering from a tear in the adductor. The second, a specialist veteran double withdraws because of a “Last minute family problem” , said Tennis Canada. France, led by its captain Yannick Noah, which may consider this first deadline calmly.
As feared Tennis Canada officials who formalized its plan Monday, Raonic is not able to face the Blues in Baie-Mahaut. “My body does not allow me the time to play in competition, because the injury sustained in Australia is not yet completely healed” , said the No. 1 player in the world and 13th Canadian who bad back. After a final test Sunday in Los Angeles, Raonic has preferred not to align with clay Guadeloupe, chosen by France to disrupt the maximum.
His last tournament appearance was in late January, at the Australian Open. He was released by the Scot Andy Murray in the semifinals, and had shown bothered by a groin injury … which had not prevented him from finishing his match in 5 sets. A few weeks ago, the Canadiens won the Brisbane tournament by eliminating Roger Federer.
“A huge blow” Raonic had yet been announced in this group there is one week. But this package was widely expected: he had already given up on tournaments Delray Beach and Acapulco and smarting from his 2015 season disrupted by recurring back problems, he wants to take no chances
. however, the absence of Nestor is much more unexpected, since missed only his second Davis Cup meeting in fifteen years. The wear-Canadian, 43 years old and winner of eight Grand Slam titles in doubles, can not make the trip to Guadeloupe “for family reasons” , said Tennis Canada. In the absence of these two key players, captain of Team Canada Martin Laurendeau will build on the experience of Vasek Pospisil, 45th World led by the French Frédéric Fontang.
It will have to then choose between Philip Bester (No. 274) and Frank Dancevic (No. 245), while Adil Shamasdin (77 duplicates) should team up with Pospisil. “Losing Milos and Daniel is a huge blow” , admitted Laurendeau. “It will take the team to refocus and prepare as best as possible to meet the challenge of this France team” , he hoped.
France favorite The first meeting of Davis Cup held in the West Indies presents itself rather well for the France team. Already favorites on paper with four players in the top 20 in the world – Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (No. 9), Richard Gasquet (No. 10), Gilles Simon (17), Gael Monfils (19) – the Blues will not cross the road Raonic who regularly give them a hard time, as Monfils had found in Melbourne (quarterfinals by defeating 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4).
the reconstruction operation entrusted to Noah, captain of the France team for the second time in his career after winning the silver bowl in 1991 and 1996, will be able, except Canadian amazing feat, start in serenity. The France team needs a lot of calm after the disappointments of 2014 (final defeat against Switzerland) and 2015 (elimination in the quarterfinals by Britain, future winner), the acrimonious departure of Arnaud Clement and controversy sparked by the choice of Guadeloupe.
in case of victory on Saturday after the double, or Sunday, the Blues will consider a quarterfinal available against Germany or the Czech Republic in July. Meanwhile even better in a 2016 edition of the Davis Cup, which since the draw seems to have a soft spot for them.
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