Coming off the best summer of his tennis career, Peter Polansky will now try to lead Canada to victory over the Dominican Republic in next week’s Davis Cup tie at Toronto.
The world 205th ranked Polanksy, who defeated two top-50 players in the past month, headlines that nation’s roster for its match-up in the Americas Zone Group I second round play-offs.
Tennis Canada announced on Wednesday the four players who will take to the court against the Dominican on Sept. 17-19 at the Rexall Centre.
Polanksy will be joined by teammates Daniel Nestor, Milos Raonic, and Frank Dancevic.
Canada and its opponent will be fighting for the right to stay in second tier Group 1, as the loser will be relegated to Group II.
“I am very happy to have these players representing our country in Davis Cup action,” team captain Martin Laurendeau told Tennis Canada.
“With the recent success these men have had at major international tournaments, I believe we are naming a team that is extremely strong, full of confidence and will be determined to keep our spot in Americas Zone Group I.”
After qualifying for the main draw of the U.S. Open, Polansky beat world No. 32 Juan Monaco in straight sets. He then took the first set off James Blake in the second round before losing to the American.
At this year’s Rogers Cup in Toronto the 22-year-old also defeated world No. 15 Jurgen Melzer in straight sets before falling in the next round.
Nestor adds experience
Nestor will be bringing 18 years of Davis Cup experience to the match-up.
The 38-year-old is Canada’s most successful tennis player, possessing a career golden slam in doubles – winning an Olympic gold medal in 2000, the Australian Open in 2002, the US Open in 2004, the French Open in 2007 and 2010, and Wimbledon in 2008 and 2009.
He and partner Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia are currently the No. 2-ranked doubles team in the world.
Dancevic’s year has been highlighted by a quarterfinal appearance at Newport, an ATP World Tour 250 event, where he lost to eventual winner Mardy Fish.
His career high ranking is 65, obtained in September 2007. Currently, the 25-year-old is 420th in the world.
Up-and-comer Raonic rounds out Canada’s team. The 19-year-old, ranked 247, is best known for defeating the top two players in the world at this year’s Rogers Cup.
He and doubles partner, fellow Canadian Vasek Pospisil, took down the formidable team of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the first round.
Victor Estrella will be leading the way for the Dominican Republic. Ranked 285th in the world, he is the Caribbean country’s highest ranked player. Jhonson Garcia, Jose Hernandez, and Luis Delgado fill out the roster.
Davis Cup ties consist of five matches — two singles tilts will take place on Sept. 17, doubles on Sept. 18, and two reverse singles on Sept. 19.
The exact match-ups will be determined in a draw ceremony before the event.