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World Team Cup, Group Three, First Round
Sri Lanka(1st) vs. Italy(7th), Hardcourt
We just did this, and now we'll do it again a few weeks after last year's Final.
Monday: G. Girsh d. T. Alberti, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3
Tuesday: A. Mehul d. M. Kinczllers, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(5)
Wednesday: S. Boccasino/A. El Brazi d. S. Ujjaval/P. Mooljee, 2-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
Thursday: G. Girsh d. M. Kinczllers, 6-3, 7-6(5), 7-6(5)
Friday: A. Mehul d. T. Alberti, 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-2
Sri Lanka defeats Italy, 4-1!!
Same matchups, same results. Somewhat less drama in singles but Kinczllers still gave us a couple of tight matches, and once again the doubles team narrowly loses in going the distance. Interesting reality about being #1: despite winning, our lead on the next several nations was reduced. There's very little margin for error in staying on top, not that I don't think we're up to it.
Our next opponent after the Australian Open will be Spain, who beat China 4-1. The winner will take group 3. They've got a couple of solid players, both ranked in the 30s, but off of clay they've got no chance and this will be indoors. Smooth sailing for Sri Lanka here as expected.
Coming Up ...
Girsh will not play again until the AO, but the other three will be in action over the next couple of weeks after some considerable debating with myself over what the best approach is.
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