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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
United States-based Benjamin Lock yesterday joined his teammates in training ahead of Zimbabwe’s Davis Cup Europe-Africa Group II tennis tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Lock, ranked as the second best player for Zimbabwe flew into the country on Monday night and got down to business ahead of the encounter scheduled to start at Harare Sports Club on Friday.

Local tennis legend Wayne Black who has been working closely with team captain Martin Dzuwa expressed satisfaction with the progress of the team.

Black said he did not expect the switch of venue from the City Sports Centre to Harare Sports Club to affect the players’ performances.

“The preparations are going on well and we are happy. Benji is now around and available so we are training hard for the event.

“I understand Lock has been playing many games and he is looking solid and as for Takanyi Garan’anga he is sharp.

“All the other players are doing well and we are hopeful we will continue like this,’’ Black said.

Asked on how well he knows his opponents Black said he is aware of the top ranked Damir Dzumhur who is in the top 100 in the world and is a good athlete.

“I just know of their top ranked player who is in the top 100 and he is an aggressive player considering what I saw today during their practice matches’’.

Black who teamed up with his elder brother Byron in the golden era of the Davis Cup team was also full of praise for the refurbishment done on the Sports Club courts.

“The venue is more compact this side and there is a good atmosphere. Most of the players have known to play here and it is not a big deal not to be at City Sports Centre.

“The players are used to play this side and they are looking forward to the big games. We will try our best and hope we will do well,’’ Black said.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina team is made up of top ranked Dzumbur, second seed Mirza Basic, Nerman Fatic, and Tomislav Brkic while Nemanja Jovic and Senad Hadzimesic are the other officials.