In-form Harris spearheads SA Davis Cup team against Venezuela

LLOYD Harris has been included in the South African Davis Cup team by new captain Christo van Rensburg for the World Group II tie against Venezuela at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York.

Harris is presently in the form of his life at the US Open, where he has reached the quarter-finals, and he will spearhead the SA team.

Following an agreement between the two national associations, South Africa will be regarded as the home nation and Venezuela the visiting nation, with the tie scheduled for September 1819. It takes place a week after the US Open, and most of the players would have been fully acclimatised by then.

“Lloyd Harris is playing some of his best tennis, which is exciting, and this team has the experience, youth, speed and power,” said Van Rensburg, who will lead the SA team for the first time.

Davis Cup veterans Ruan Roelofse and doubles specialist Raven Klaasen will back up Harris.

They will be joined by 20-year-old Philip Henning and 21-year-old Sipho Montsi, who are both based in the US, where they compete on the collegiate circuit.

“The depth of this team consists of the up-and-coming college stars, and being in New York, makes it easier for them to get off from college duties,” Van Rensburg said.

“Coming together earlier than usual will give me more time with every player and prepare them for the matches.

“I look forward to the energy of brainstorming with the younger generation, and also hearing from the more experienced players in this team.

“We will all learn from each other, and I’m hoping we can play some amazing tennis.”

South African Team

Lloyd Harris, Raven Klaasen, Ruan Roelofse, Sipho Montsi, Philip Henning. Captain: Christo van Rensburg.

Venezuela Team

Ricardo Rodriguez, Luis David Martinez, Brandon Perez, Dimitri Badra. Captain: Maurice Ruah.