Davis Cup 2016 in Minsk
Belarus hosted Latvia on the courts of the National Olympic Tennis Training Center in Minsk on 15-17 July for the Group II Europe/Africa second round.
On the first day, Belarusian team under Vladimir Voltchkov’s tutelage gained two victories: Ilya Ivashko recorded a 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 win against Martins Podzus, and Yaroslav Shilo beat Mikelis Libietis 6-2, 6-1, 6-3.
After losing two rubbers, Karlis Lejnieks’s men took revenge in doubles: Latvian Mikelis Libietis and Martins Podzus defeated the Belarusian duo of Andrei Vasilevsky and Alexander Bury 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6.
The right strategy helped the Belarusian team to reverse the situation on the final day. Ilya Ivashko ran out a 6-2, 7-6, 6-0 victory over Janis Podzus, while Yaroslav Shilo saw off Rudolfs Mednis 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 to seal a 4-1 victory for Belarus.
Belarus will host Denmark (world No. 43) in the semi-final tie for a place in Davis Cup Europe/Africa Group I. The tie will take place in
