July 17-19 in Vladivostok, «Fetisov Arena» will be held the second round match of the first group of the Davis Cup in tennis (zone «Europe / Africa») between Russia and Spain. Eminent Spanish team that won the trophy five times, now plays in the second largest division of the world championship. Last season, the Spaniards arrived on the verge of returning to the elite, sensationally lost against Brazil. In the regional center of Primorye captain Conchita Martinez and her wards told about the upcoming match at the press conference, informs «Pacific Russia».

The captain of the Spanish Tennis Conchita Martinez, who was appointed to this position on July 5 said that very pleased to be working with the national team. It does not confuse the fact that she has to lead a team of exclusively male. «I am happy to work with such a wonderful guy», — she said. Conchita Martinez (full name Inmaculada Concepcion Martinez-Bernat) is a three-time Olympic medalist in Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996) and Athens (2004). It completed his playing career in April 2006, on account of its 33 titles in the tournament under the auspices of the Women’s Tennis Association, and three titles — under the auspices of the International Tennis Federation.

According to Martinez, before the match in Vladivostok managed to collect quite battle-worthy team. Moreover, the present composition is close to optimal. Tennis properly perceived the situation with the replacement of a team leader. It was planned that in Vladivostok will play Rafael Nadal, then — David Ferrer. As a result, the choice fell on the 19th-ranked Tommy Robredo. He said that he was going to Vladivostok at the last minute when he rang and Martinez was invited to speak for the team. Robredo said it «great» captain and absolutely worthy to lead the national team — the pride of their country.

Spain squad, despite the long flight to the regional center of Primorye and the status of favorite, ready for a serious battle. Among the advantages of the Russian national team in addition to direct rivals — the home crowd support and hard surface courts, thanks to which the game is faster, whereas Spaniards traditionally perform better on clay. However, the Spanish national team players qualifications is high enough to brilliantly and act on a solid surface.

As for rivals, the Spanish national team is considered the most dangerous of Andrei Rublev, who is currently ranked 207 th in the world rankings. In general, the guests noted that the Russians have a strong submission that it would be a great advantage in the game on a fast hard surface.

In Vladivostok, the Spanish national team, as well as the Russian team, spends two-single trainings that begin at 09:30 and end at 20:00. This tennis players are also involved in the general physical preparation. City are not yet seeing, but plan to do so on a trip before the official dinner which will be held the evening of July 15 on the island of Russian.

Recall that in the first round of the first group of the Davis Cup in tennis (zone «Europe / Africa») this season, the Russian team with a score of 4:1 victory contenders from Denmark. Spanish tennis players have passed this round. Last season, the Spanish team also played in the first group. In the decisive match for the World Group, it lost to Brazil by a score of 1:3. The Russian national team in the last season in the first group, first won the Portuguese (4:1) and then lost to the Poles (2: 3).

Between Russia and Spain in the framework of the Davis Cup met five times. Four wins on the account of the Spaniards, one — Russians. The last time they played in 2000 in the framework of 1/4 final of the World Group. Then the Spaniards scored a home victory with the score 4:1. In the USSR, the team had two matches. In 1990 in Moscow in the first round of the World Group qualifying Soviet tennis players lost with the score 1:4. In 1976 in Donetsk in the semi-zone «A» of the European tournament hosts won the Davis Cup with a score of 4:1.

In Vladivostok, the Spaniards and the Russians will play each other for the first time on a hard surface. And the second time they face off in an enclosed space (in 1990 they also played in the room).

Match Russia — Spain will be broadcast on TV channels «NTV-Plus» and TVE (Spain). The first meeting will be held on Friday, July 17.

For Spain in Vladivostok will play:

- Tommy Robredo (19th place, 2002);
- Pablo Andujar (37th, 2014);
- Marc Lopez (12th place in the ranking of doubles, 2012);
- David Marrero (21 th place in the ranking of doubles, 2014).

For the Russian team will play in Vladivostok:

- Konstantin Kravchuk (154th in the world rankings for the Russian team acts from 2013);
- Evgeny Donskoy (172 th place in 2013);
- Andrei Rublev (207 th place in 2014);
- Karen Khachanov (217 th place in 2013).