Tennis Davis Cup begins today in Cyprus Nicosia

Fotos Kallias will face Frederico Gil on the opening game of the Davis Cup Europe/Africa Zone Group II between Cyprus and Portugal that is taking place in Nicosia from 6-8 March.

The match starts today on 1500 local time at Cyprus’ National Tennis Centre. The opening ceremony will take place on 1445. After the first match, Marcos Baghdatis will face Rui Machado.

On Saturday Paghdatis and Kallias will clash with Gil and Tavares and on Sunday Paghdatis will face Gil and Kallias will face Machado.

The Cypriot team comprises Marcos Baghdatis 24, an Australian Open 2006 finalist, currently 90th in the ATP rankings, Fotos Kallias 25, 532nd in ATP rankings, and unseeded Demetrios Leontis, 31 and Phillipos Tsangaris 17. Giannos Hadjigeorgiou is the Captain.

The Portuguese team comprises Frederico Gil, 24, 86th in ATP rankings, Ruci Machado, 25, 151st in ATP rankings, Leonardo Tavares, 25, 555th in ATP and Joao Sousa, 20, who ranks 590 in ATP. Pedro Cordeiro is the Captain.

Portugal beat Cyprus 5-0 in July 2008. The winner of the tie will face the winner of Ireland – Algeria tie. The losing teams will clash for a play-off tie.