DAVIS CUP SEMIFINALS PREVIEW: 23-25 SEPTEMBER 2005

Slovak Republic v Argentina

The Slovak Republic hosts its third Davis Cup tie for 2005 in Bratislava, this time against Argentina. After delivering a 
crushing 4-1 blow to defending champions, Spain, in the first round in March, the Slovaks repeated the feat in July against 
the Netherlands. In the semifinals, their team will comprise once again of world number 19, Dominik Hrbaty, who recently 
reached the 4th round of the US Open; Karol Beck; Michal Mertinak and former world number 6, Karol Kucera. The fast indoor 
court and the hometown fans will be an advantage to the hosts, however their opponents are not to be understimated. 
Argentina, with its multitude of male tennis talent, brings to Bratislava a team bursting with top 20 players. The world's 
number 8, 9, 10 and 11 players form the strong Argentinian team led by 2004 French Open finalist, Guillermo Coria. 2002 
Wimbledon finalist, David Nalbandian, who recently reached the quarterfinals of the US Open, will also be back in Davis Cup 
action after playing a crucial role in leading his country to victory over Australia with his straight sets defeat of 
Lleyton Hewitt in Sydney in July. Gaston Gaudio, the 2004 French Open champion, is back in the team after a considerable 
absense and will be looking to vindicate his spot there, while Mariano Puerta, the surprise 2005 French Open finalist has 
once again been named by Alberto Mancini, following a great performance against the Australians on the Sydney grass with 
Nalbandian in July. 

This is the second time these nations have clashed, the first being a memorable tie in the world group qualifying round on 
the clay of Buenos Aires in 1998. The hosts were upset 2 rubbers to 3 with Dominik Hrbaty clinching the decisive 5th rubber 
6-2 3-6 6-4 6-2 against Hernan Gumy. Will it be Argentina's turn to upset the hosts this time with their new and improved 
team or will the Slovaks once again have their opponents' mesure? Either way, it will be a well-deserved final for the 
victors; the Slovak Republic itself has never been in a Davis Cup final, although the former Czechoslovakia won in 1980 
and were finalists in 1975. Argentina has been a runner-up once in 1981 losing to the USA, and narrowly missed out on 
another finals appearance in 2003, losing a tight semi to Spain in Málaga. 

SLOVAK REPUBLIC:
Players: 
Dominik Hrbaty
Karol Beck
Michal Mertinak
Karol Kucera

Team Captain: Miroslav Mecir

Road to the semis:
Round 1: 4-6 March 2005 in Bratislava, Slovak Republic
d. Spain 4-1
Quarterfinals: 15-17 July 2005 in Bratislava, Slovak Republic
d. Netherlands 4-1

ARGENTINA:
Players:
Guillermo Coria
David Nalbandian
Gaston Gaudio
Mariano Puerta

Team Captain: Alberto Mancini

Road to the semis:
Round 1: 4-6 March 2005 in Buenos Aires, Argentina
d. Czech Republic 5-0
Quarterfinals: 15-17 July 2005 in Sydney, Australia
d. Australia 4-1

Tie details (from www.daviscup.com)
Venue: Sibamac Arena National Tennis Centre, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
Stadium Capacity: 4000
Dates: 23-25 September 2005
Day 1 (Fri): start at 1500 local time (1300 GMT)
Day 2 (Sat): start at 1600 local time (1300 GMT)
Day 3 (Sun): start at 1500 local time (1300 GMT)
Surface: Hard (Premier) - Indoors
Ball Type: Dunlop Fort Duck

Ticket Information (from www.davisup.com)
Prices: Fri & Sun 900 Slovak Crown; Sat 500 Slovak Crown
Tel: +421 2 4920 9890
Website: http://www.ticketportal.sk

TV Broadcasters (from www.daviscup.com)
Slovak TV (Slovak Republic)
TYC Sports (Argentina)
Globosat (Brazil)
CCTV (China)
EVS/EBU (Europe)
TVE Teledeporte (Spain)
UBC (Thailand)
The Tennis Channel (USA)
TWI (United Kingdom)
Reuters (Worldwide)
SNTV (Worldwide)