The Tribune

THE Bahamas team of Baker Newman, Philip Major Jr, Jody Turnquest and captain Marvin Rolle are all set to begin play in the first round of the American Zone III Davis Cup tie in Costa Rica.

The team will open up against Honduras today with Major Jr playing in the opening singles, followed by Newman.

The Honduras team is made up of Jaime Bendeck, Alejandro Obando, Gabriel Zuniga Mendoza and captained by Keny Turcios.

Rolle, however, said it’s uncertain who will play the doubles match. He noted that there’s been a lot of rain and so there’s a possibility that they may have to play some matches indoors.

“The guys are ready. The facility is nice. They are treating us nice,” he said.

Since 2001, 35-year-old Rolle has been a member of Team Bahamas. He’s played in 48 ties and has compiled a 14-15 win-loss record in singles and 22-16 in doubles. He’s been at the helm as the team captain for the past few years and is convinced that with Newman as their top seed, the team has a chance to get out of zone III and into zone II for 2019.

Newman, 23, said he’s ready for his second tie as the top seed. He first played in 2016, compiling a 4-0 record in singles and 1-0 in doubles.

“Honduras, you better watch out,” he said. “I am sleeping with one eye open. We’re coming for you. Get ready.”

Major Jr, 22, said if it’s a battle, he will be ready for it. This will be his third year playing on the team and in the three ties he’s seen action, he’s 0-3 in singles and 1-1 in doubles. “I’m sure that we are all very happy and proud to represent our country and I know that we all will put our best foot forward,” he said. “Hopefully all goes well tomorrow (today) as we go 2-for-2.”

Turnquest, the newest member of the team at age 24, said he’s just excited to be in Costa Rica. “We have Honduras tomorrow (today),” he stressed. “Looking forward to it.”

The Bahamas is placed in Pool B with Honduras, Jamaica, Bermuda and Antigua and Barbuda. The Bahamas will play Antigua on Tuesday, have Wednesday off, play Jamaica on Thursday and Bermuda Friday. They will need to finish in the top two in order to advance to playoffs against the top two teams out of Pool A, comprising of Cuba, Panama, Costa Rica and Paraguay.

The winner of Pool A will play-off against the runner-up of Pool B and the winner of Pool B will play-off against the runner-up of Pool A to determine which two nations will advance to Americas Zone Group II in 2019. The final two teams will be promoted.