WITH ONE MONTH to go, Barbados definitely aren’t taking their biggest assignment lightly.
The Davis Cup team have their eyes on the prize as three players are set to travel overseas in preparation for the big Group II final against Mexico at the National Tennis Centre.
Bajan No.1 and world 458 Darian King has already left the country for Europe to contest three ITF Futures event and an ATP Challenger, while second-ranked Haydn Lewis and Seanon Williams are slated to feature in another Futures event in Mexico.
Lewis is also returning to his training base in Florida before possibly moving on to Canada for further competition.
It’s all being done as much-needed warm-up ahead of Barbados’ first ever Group II final, where the winner advances to Group I – the bridge to the prestigious World Group.
Rated 44th in the world, Mexico will open as favourites, having not dropped a single set in the countries’ only encounter two years ago in Mexico.
However, Barbados, ranked nine spots below Mexico, are unbeaten at home since returning to Group II play that includes two victories over the highly-rated Chile and long-time rivals El Salvador this season.
And the Bajans enter the tie with the confidence of knowing that King and Lewis upended Mexicans Santiago Gonzalez and Daniel Garza at the 2011 Pan American Championships in their own backyard.
The rubber runs from September 12 to 14 at the National Tennis Centre. (JM)
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