As hostilities begin today for the Nigeria vs Uzbekistan Davis Cup World Group 11 qualifier, Uzbekistan coach,, Denis Istomin, has condemned the idea of any one that thinks Nigeria will beat Uzbekistan this weekend in the Play-off that holds from 6-8 February 2026 at the Prestigious Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Tafawa Balewa Square, adjacent the Onikan Stadium Lagos.
Speaking in an interview with our correspondent, on Thursday, Istomin who is also the playing captain of the Uzbekistan team, said they are here to fight to gain promotion at the expense of their hosts, Nigeria; adding that tennis is a one-on-one game that has no home advantage.
He dismissed any suggestion that his team will loose the Davis Cup play-off against Nigeria.
Rather than loose, Istomin said both teams will fight to gain promotion and that will make the match very interesting.
But was quick to add that his team stand the chance of emerging victorious and that is why they are here in the first place.
On the ranking of some Of his players which is above that of Nigerians thereby giving Uzbekistan an advantage, the coach dismissed that and revealed that playing a lower ranked team is more difficult in this type of settings and gave both teams a fifty-fifty chance. More so that he knew nothing about Team Nigeria Players.
Meanwhile, apart from Denis Istomin, the captain, other members of the Uzbekistan 5-man squad include, Khumoyun Suloanov, ( ranked 60 in the world), Abdulaziz Usmonjonov, Ilya Ignatov and Sukhrob Saidove
