Nalbandian against Ungur in Davis Cup opening matchMarch 4, 2011 - 10:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - David Nalbandian will nurse a groin injury against Adrian Ungur in the opening match of the Davis Cup tie between Argentina and Romania on March 4. The draw pitted Juan Monaco of Argentina against Victor Hanescu in the second singles. The doubles on March 5 will see Argentine pair Juan Ignacio Chela and Eduardo Schwank against Hanescu and Horia Tecau. The reverse singles are on March 6. Argentina was a heavy favorite to reach the quarterfinals, but much will depend on Nalbandian's health. The injury forced him to withdraw from last week's Mexican Open, which followed a loss to Spain's Tommy Robredo in an ATP clay-court tournament two weeks ago in Buenos Aires. "I'm fine and it's getting better every day," Nalbandian said at the draw. "I feel pretty good and I hope I don't have to play on Sunday," he added, hinting he'd like the tie to be wrapped up in Saturday's doubles, NDTV reports Ungur, unexpectedly chosen ahead of Victor Crivoi, was ranked 183rd, and made his Davis Cup debut only last year. This will be his first tie away from home. Nalbandian suggested the thrill of playing in the Davis Cup might help him overcome the injury. "Playing the Davis Cup is special and no match on the circuit gives you the same feeling," he said. "And playing at home adds to the motivation." Nalbandian has won 10 of 11 singles in Argentina, and he's an impressive 20-5 in singles overall since his debut nine years ago. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |