In addition to the World Group I Play-off series of the Rakuten Cup in which Peru, Mexico, Brazil and Ecuador participate, another 8 series will be played this weekend. This Thursday the draws for 5 of those remaining series were made, whose first games will be played on Friday.
Rising youngster Holger Rune, who recently reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, is the big star of the Denmark v India event at Hillerod. There, Rune will open against Yuki Bhambri, before the local August Holmgren will face the Indian Sumit Nagal.
Underpinned by a young squad, the Romanians visit Thailand in Nonthaburi with good chances of qualifying for World Group I in September. The visit puts Nicholas Ionel first, who will clash on Friday with Yuttana Charoenphon, followed by the match between Filip Jianu and Kasidit Samrej.
Playing at home in Poland, Ukraine hosts Lebanon in Leszno. The first match on Friday will be between Vladyslav Orlov and the Lebanese Hady Habib, followed by the cross between Viacheslav Bielinskyi and the visiting Benjamin Hassan.
Turkey v Slovenia meet Istanbul, with the clear favoritism of the locals. Altug Celikbilek faces Sebastian Dominko. In the second clash of the day, Cm Ilkel will face Bor Artnak. Lastly, Lithuania v Pakistan play in Vilnus for a place in World Group I in September.
The local will see Ricardas Berankis in the first game on Friday against Muhammad Shoaib, followed by Edas Butvilas v Aqeel Khan. Draws for the series between Japan v Poland, Latvia v Israel and New Zealand v Bulgaria will take place on Friday, with the first games taking place on Saturday.
Rune will have a lot of happy memories of Paris
Holger Rune has realised a lot of dreams in a short space of time and he is looking forward to achieving another big milestone in his career next year at the Paris Olympics.
Asked about the Paris 2024 on the Tennis Weekly Podcast, the teenager replied: “It is [a big goal of mine]. I am super excited for it. “It’s going to be next year, 2024 in Paris. I always play great in Paris and I am excited for it.
It’s a great event. As a kid, I’ve been dreaming about it as well, so it will soon be a reality. I think hard court and clay [are my best surfaces],” he said. “I still have to get some more experience on grass, but I feel like my game, the aggressive game style I have is good for grass and I move well.”
