By Olivia Ekpe
Uzbekistan’s Davis Cup coach, Denis Istomin, has boastfully dismissed Nigeria’s chances of winning their World Group II qualifier this weekend. “They have no chance,” Istomin said, expressing confidence in his team’s ability to secure a win.
The highly anticipated match is set to begin today at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, with Nigeria looking to capitalize on home advantage. However, Istomin remains unfazed, pointing to Uzbekistan’s stronger Davis Cup pedigree and experience in big matches.
The play-off will be played from February 6-8, 2026, with the winner advancing to World Group II. Can Nigeria pull off an upset, or will Uzbekistan prove too strong?
Speaking in an interview with our correspondent, Mr. Patrick Ibeh and Olivia Ekpe 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. And dismissed any suggestion that his team will loose the Davis Cup play-off against Nigeria.
Rather that loose, Istomin said both teams will fight to gain promotion and that will make the match very interesting. But 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 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.
Meanwhile, President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Ho. Victor Uchei has appealed to Nigerians to come out in their large numbers to cheer Team Nigeria to victory.
Borrowing the words of the Uzbekistan coach, RT Hon Ucheir said” this Tennis war between Nigeria and Uzbekistan hence all hands must be on deck to ensure that Nigeria gains the needed promotion despite the fact that Nigeria is playing as the under dog .
Meanwhile, Chairman of the tournament Central Workng Committee, Mr. Victor Hember is optimistic that Nigeria will come out tops at the end of the exercise considering the rigorous training the team went through in the last two weeks
