Tym Glaser, Associate Editor - SportJAMAICAN DAVIS Cup mainstay Ryan Russell will return to the national fold next week when the island hosts the Netherland Antilles in an Americas Zone Group Two relegation clash at the refurbished Eric Bell Tennis Centre in Kingston.
Russell, who boasts a superb Cup record of 20 wins in 24 singles matches, missed the team's 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Uruguay in that South American country in February as he was on a "tennis sabbatical".
Jamaica's second singles berth will be filled by Damion Johnson with Eldad Campbell and Rayne Russell, Ryan's brother, rounding out captain Douglas Burke's squad for the tie which begins on Friday.
Rayne replaces veteran Jermaine Smith in the team and could partner his 23-year-old brother in the doubles.
"Ryan is in good shape. He's been working hard and he's ready to go," Burke said of his returning number one player yesterday.
Major boost
While Ryan Russell's return to action will be a major boost for the hosts, the Netherland Antilles also welcome back their top player, Jean-Julien Rojer, who has a world singles ranking of 303 and missed their opening loss to Ecuador, also 5-0.
The 25-year-old from Curaao also has an impressive Cup record with 27 wins in 33 singles encounters.
"He's a real tough cookie," Burke said of Rojer. "There's no getting around it, he can single-handedly carry that team - he's just very solid.
"However, I am very confident. We are playing at home and the guys are all doing well," he said.
The Netherland Antilles' three-man team is completed by promising left-hander Rasid Winklaar and Nick van Rosberg.
The draw will be made on Thursday and action will start on Friday with the opening singles. The doubles rubber follows on Saturday before the reverse singles on Sunday. Action starts each day at 10:00 a.m.
