The Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) has selected the tourist resort of Marina d’Or in Oropesa del Mar, Castellon as the venue for the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas quarterfinal tie between Spain and Austria that will take place on 6-8 April. The Marina d’Or resort, built on the shores of the Costa del Azahar in the Mediterranean sea, is home to the biggest sea water spa in Europe.
The tie will be played on an outdoor clay court, the usual choice of the Spanish Davis Cup teams for their home ties. Spain, the defending champions, have won their last 22 home ties, putting them in second place (with Germany) on the list for the most consecutive ties won at home behind Italy (28).
Spain have defeated Austria just once in four previous meetings and were firmly beaten by a Thomas Muster-led team in the most recent of these, a first round encounter in 1995. Austria is making an appearance in the quarterfinals for the first time in 17 years, which coincidentally they reached by beating Spain. Jurgen Melzer, who has carried the Austrian team for a number of years, proved the difference in a 3-2 first round victory over Russia that also marked Captain Clemens Trimmel’s first taste of Davis Cup.
In the other quarterfinal ties France will host USA at the Monte Carlo Country Club; Czech Republic will host Serbia at the O2 Arena in Prague; and Argentina will host Croatia at the Parque Roca in Buenos Aires. For more information visit www.daviscup.com and www.copadavis.com.
Topics: Davis Cup