Mersin, Turkey – South African Davis Cup captain, Earl Grainger announced Fritz Wolmarans and Tucker Vorster as his number one and number two nominated singles player at the official draw of this weekend’s Euro Africa Group 2 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas tie between South Africa and Turkey. The tie will be played at the Mersin Tennis Complex, Mersin, Turkey from 6-8 March 2015.
As expected, South Africa’s highest ranked world doubles player, Raven Klaasen will play the doubles rubber and Grainger nominated Ruan Roelofse as his partner for the doubles rubber on Saturday.
World number 427 Fritz Wolmarans, will get South Africa’s weekend campaign under way against Turkey on Friday 6 March at 12 noon South African time. Wolmarans will play Cem Ilkel the Turkish number two, in the opening rubber. This will be the first time that the two have met. This will be followed by the second Friday singles rubber between Tucker Vorster and Turkish number Marcel Ilhan, who also have never player each other.
The draw for the first round Group 2 Europe/Africa tie was made at the Tie site on Thursday and Fritz Wolmarans’ name was drawn for the first singles rubber by tie Referee, Adel Borghei of Iran.
The absence of Kevin Anderson once again has somewhat weakened the South African line-up but Captain Earl Grainger and his team remain upbeat about their chances this weekend. “We have the best possible side experience wise for this tie. We all know that Kevin would add great value to our team but with him not being available for Davis Cup we need to work with what we have and I believe the team we have assembled for this weekend are the best for the job, are passionate about playing for their country and will do us all proud there is a very happy mood in the camp and my boys are looking extremely sharp, much better than they were on the weekend when they arrived and are ready to give their all this weekend.”
The most senior South African player in the team Raven Klaasen said he was happy that Ruan had been named as his partner for Saturday as the two have played successfully together before.
“I see this as an opportunity to nail down the tie in the doubles rubber on Saturday,” said Klaasen. “Hopefully by the time we play the doubles South Africa will be leading so that we can sew up the result before the start of Sunday’s reverse singles.”
This is the first time that the two nations have met in Davis Cup competition.
The playing program;
Friday singles (start 12h00 noon): Fritz Wolmarans (RSA) vs Cem Ilkel (Tur) followed by Tucker Vorster (RSA) vs. Marsel Ilhan (Tur),
Saturday doubles (start 14h00): Raven Klaasen (RSA) and Ruan Roelofse (RSA) vs. Baris Erguden (Tur) and Anil Yuksel (Tur).
Sunday reverse singles (12h00 noon): Fritz Wolmarans (RSA) vs. Marsel Ilhan (Tur) followed by Tucker Vorster (RSA) vs. Cem Ilkel (Tur).
Teams
South Africa: Fritz Wolmarans, Tucker Vorster, Ruan Roelofse and Raven Klaasen. Captain: Earl Grainger
Turkey: Marsel Ilhan, Cem Ilkel, Baris Erguden and Anil Yuksel Captain: Haluk Akkoyun