Three-time runner up Argentina will play host to Kazakhstan starting Thursday, as the two nations battle in Davis Cup. Both countries are vying for a spot in the semifinal, Tennistalk.com reported.
Host nation Argentina is set for a maiden Davis Cup clash with visiting Kazakhstan beginning Thursday afternoon. Argentina has chosen veteran Juan Monaco and former World No. 4 Juan Martin Del Potro to compete in singles.
Rounding out the squad are Eduardo Schwank and Juan Ignacio Chela, who are slated for doubles duty. The team, having decided to contest the tie on clay outdoors, is coached by Modesto "Tito" Vasquez.
Argentina began its 2011 Davis Cup run with a 4-1 victory over Romania, with David Nalbandian and Juan Monaco earning key singles wins. Nalbandian will be unavailable for play this weekend, as the team is rejoined by 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro. The 22-year-old will be making his return after a two-year absence.
"I feel glad to be back with the team," Del Potro said.
"I had a really bad year last season, but I've made a great comeback and right now I have the possibility to play for Argentina in Davis Cup. It is always special not only for me, but for the whole team to play in front of our crowd. Hopefully we will enjoy the matches and try to win."
The Kazakh team, coached by Yegor Shaldunov, has selected competitors Andrey Golubev and Mikhail Kukushkin in singles, and Evgeny Korolev and Yuriy Schukin in doubles.
Kazakhstan put together a solid first-round performance, having upset World Group stalwart Czech Republic 3-2.