BERLIN: Philipp Kohlschreiber will return to Germany's Davis Cup team for their World Group first-round match against France on March 6-8, new team captain Michael Kohlmann confirmed on Tuesday.
Kohlschreiber has not played for the German team for a year after being snubbed by Kohlmann's predecessor, Carsten Arriens, but will return to face last year's finalists France.
"I immediately made one of my first conversations with Philip and it was a very good talk. He wants to do everything to help the team," said Kohlmann, who was appointed earlier this month after Arriens was sacked.
Germany face France in Frankfurt, where they beat Spain 4-1 last year, but were booed by their own crowd after injuries meant they had to forfeit the final singles rubber, much to the home crowd's disgust.
"We just want the crowd in Frankfurt to convey a bit of optimism, I'm sure the French will not underestimate us," said Kohlmann.
"Although we're the underdogs, I am sure we'll have our chance."
The French were given a boost when Gael Monfils reversed his decision to miss the tie due to poor form -- he has now been included by captain Arnaud Clement.
However French number one Jo-Wilfried Tsonga misses out with an arm injury.
"He has great energy and it's good news for this first round. We talked a lot with Gael and each time we spoke together I told him I didn't understand (his withdrawal) and it was a mistake," said Clement.
"The thing that counts is that Gael is with us and has the desire to be with us," he added.
With Tsonga ruled out, Gilles Simon, who won the Marseille Open on Sunday, is included along with Richard Gasquet and for the first time Nicolas Mahut, who is a likely candidate for the doubles.
The winner of the tie will face Great Britain or the United States in the quarter-finals.
Comments
Comments are closed.