Ukrainian wins, Ukrainian loses in Davis Cup tournament in Kyiv

by Roman Woronowycz
Kyiv Press Bureau

KYIV - In a qualifying competition of the 1997 Davis Cup tennis tournament in Kyiv with Ukraine playing against a good British team, it came down to a Ukrainian versus a Ukrainian, and the Ukrainian lost.

Britain's Greg Rusedski, who is a transplanted Canadian of Ukrainian heritage, took the deciding fifth match of the Britain vs. Ukraine competition from Ukraine's Andriy Rybalko (6-3; 6-3; 7-5) to propel Britain to a 3-2 win over Ukraine in Kyiv on July 13.

The British, who were back at full strength with the return of Rusedski and Tim Henmen, had little problem with the Ukrainian team. Earlier this year, their injury-induced absence against a non-descript Zimbabwe team had led to defeat.

In Kyiv, the only trouble they faced was Ukraine's ace, Andrey Medvedev, who has been ranked as high as fourth in the world in his six years on the tennis pro circuit. He beat Britain's two stars to give Ukraine both its wins, first taking Henmen, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, on Friday and then Rusedski, 6-1, 6-1, 2-6, 6-2, on Sunday.

On Sunday, after four matches in the best-of-five tournament, it was all tied-up. Rusedski then turned the trick for Britain, but not until he had lost the first set, which gave Rybalko a short-lived chance to lead Ukraine to an upset over one of the historic powers in world tennis. But his game abandoned him, and Rusedski won handily.

Rybalko also went down to defeat on Friday against Henmen, 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6. In the doubles match, Medvedev and Dmytro Poliakov lost to Henmen and Rusedski, 1-6, 4-6, 6-7 (5-7).

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, July 27, 1997, No. 30, Vol. LXV

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