The lineup for the Davis Cup match against archrival China has been announced
The draw between the Chinese team and the Slovenian team in the 2024 Davis Cup World Group II playoffs was announced on February 1. Zhang Zhizhen took the lead in the battle, and young players Zhou Yi and Buyunchaoket were entrusted with important tasks.
The match between the Chinese team and the Slovenian team was held at the Guangzhou Development Zone International Tennis School from February 2 to February 3. The two teams will play 4 singles matches and 1 doubles match, and the winning team will advance to the Davis Cup World Group II competition in September this year.
The Chinese team sent Zhang Zhizhen, Wu Yibing, Shang Juncheng, Buyunchaoket, and Zhou Yi as participating team members this time. Wu Di served as the captain. The lineup is led by the old and the new. The players preparing for the Paris Olympics join hands with the “fresh blood” of young people transitioning to careers. While making every effort to ensure the qualifications for the Paris Olympics, the Chinese National Tennis Men’s Team also takes into account the construction of the reserve echelon and the experience of young players, and integrates the supreme sense of honor of the motherland into the hearts of every Chinese men’s tennis player through the Davis Cup team competition.
As the draw ceremony was held, the order of play and the list of players for this game were announced. The Chinese team will send Zhang Zhizhen and Zhou Yi to play singles, and Buyunchaoket and Zhou Yi will play doubles.
Zhang Zhizhen is currently the highest-ranked player in the world in Chinese men’s tennis. In the just-concluded Australian Open competition, Zhang Zhizhen won the Australian Open main draw singles victory for the first time, and even broke into the semi-finals in doubles. Zhou Yi and Buyunchaoket, two “post-00s”, have previously represented the Chinese team in Davis Cup away games held in Mexico and Uruguay. This Davis Cup at home will also serve as an inspection and training opportunity for the Chinese men’s team. An important stage for young players.
Wu Yibing has been working hard to recover from injuries after the 2023 US Open (plans to return to the court in March this year with ranking protection). Shang Juncheng broke into the top 32 of men’s singles at this year’s Australian Open, setting a new personal record for Grand Slam participation. In the third round, he faced Alcaraz and retired in the third set due to injury. In order to ensure that they are in the best physical condition and embark on the journey to the Paris Olympics again, these two players did not appear on the roster for the game.
The Slovenian team playing away from home is the No. 2 seed team in the 2024 Davis Cup World Group II playoffs. This time it sent its top domestic players to play, and its strength cannot be underestimated. Facing strong opponents, the Chinese team is ready for a tough battle. Analyze the opponent’s formation, fight one game at a time, strive for victory with all your strength, and show the spirit of playing at home. (Reporter Ma Yiou)