Jamaica will begin its Davis Cup World Group Two qualifiers against Estonia at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre today confident that it can come away victorious.
The 69th-ranked Jamaicans face the 59th-ranked visitors in singles, slated to serve off at 3:00 p.m.
In the first match Jamaica’s Rowland “Randy” Phillips face Estonia’s top-ranked Kristjan Tamm, and in the second game Jamaica’s top-ranked Blaise Bicknell goes up against Jurgen Zopp.
Phillips is confident the Jamaicans can emerge with the victory.
“I think we have the ability to rise to the occasion, we’ve been up in Group Two now, this is our third time in a row, essentially, so we’ve been there as well, it’s not like it’s a new experience for us, so we are ready for it,” he said.
The Jamaican number-two ranked player added: “I feel good physically and mentally. I am well-prepared and I am feeling pretty confident going into this tie… it is going to be a tough tie because any team that is playing at this level is going to be good, but they are beatable and I know that playing at home, we can beat them.
“I think that the singles matches are going to be our main focus because I think that we are stronger in the singles. However, we just have to go out there and compete well and make sure that we handle the environment and bring the pressure to them and see if they can handle it.”
Jamaica’s captain and coach Mel Spence is also optimistic.
“I like what I see, especially on the Jamaican side. Randy will be playing their number one player first and I like his chances against him. We’ve watched these guys practise extensively so we have good notes on them, as I’m sure they do have on us and it’s going to be a good battle.”
While unable to predict a result, Tamm promises that his team will give of its best. “Let’s see tomorrow, they’re a tough team so it’s not going to be easy, but we will do our best.”
Jamaica’s number one player Blaise Bicknell missed the draw after arriving in the island just hours before but did manage a training session on Friday.
The playoff will conclude on Sunday with the playing of the doubles matches.
The other members of Jamaica’s team are John Chin, Daniel Azar, and Jacob Bicknell.
