Garin to open Chile's clash with Slovakia in Bratislava

Christian Garin will begin Chile's Davis Cup by Rakuten World Group I clash with Slovakia on Friday against Alex Molcan.

The world No. 17, one of four top 20 players representing their nation in the competition this weekend, will face Molcan - ranked 100 spots below him - in the opening match at the NTC Arena in Brastislava on Friday.

Garin, who reached the fourth round at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year, will be a heavy favourite to win in his first meeting with the former junior world No 18, although Molcan will be full of confidence after reaching the third round at the US Open on his Grand Slam debut earlier this month.

Slovakian No. 1 Norbert Gombos, the world No. 115, follows in the second match against world No. 214 Nicolas Jarry, ahead of the doubles and reverse singles on Sunday.

Victory for Chile this weekend would guarantee the nation a spot in the Davis Cup Qualifiers next February, while Slovakia, even with an upset victory, would need to await the results of others to determine whether they will progress to the Qualifiers or the World Group I knock-outs.

As is so often the case in Davis Cup, the doubles match could be the key to the tie, with Lukas Klein and Filip Polasek set to come up against Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera and Alejandro Tabilo.

More to follow…