4 Feb 2008

Pacific tennis team face tough challenge in Kuwait

11:49 am on 4 February 2008

The Oceania Davis Cup team are on their way to Kuwait for their tennis tie this week.

New captain, Cyrille Mainguy, has announced an experienced team for the first round tie.

Solomon Island's Michael Leong heads the lineup and will be supported by Samoa's Juan Langton and Leon So'onalole, with Vanuatu's Cyril Jacobe.

Gerard Winter from New Caledonia will be the team manager for the first tie.

West Nott, hero on the final day of their win over Pakistan is not available this year because of commitments to coaching at a college in the USA.

Kuwait, the second seeds in the competition have named their strongest line-up headed by Mohammad Gareeb who has an outstanding record in Davis Cup.

It will be a tough tie played outside on hardcourts and Oceania will be the underdogs.