With the support of his fans and with the goal of becoming a prophet in his own land, Yucatecan Rodrigo Pacheco Méndez will have the privilege of opening and closing the Davis Cup series between Mexico and China, as he will play the first and last matches of the competition, after the draw was verified today at the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, headed by the governor of the state, Mauricio Vila Dosal.
As luck would have it, Pacheco Méndez, who will be making his debut in the world’s most important white sport competition in his home state, in front of his people, family and friends, will be given the responsibility of opening the event and seeking to give Mexico the advantage in the competition.
“We are delighted to host such an important tournament as the Davis Cup, welcome the Chinese team, very happy to have them here, regardless of the sporting issue, there is a great relationship between China and Yucatan. I had the opportunity to visit Beijing and four other Chinese cities just a month and a half ago, very important companies from that country are coming to invest in our state and generate jobs, it is a pleasure to have them here,” said Governor Vila Dosal.
“Yucatan is a great venue for events of any kind, especially sporting events, we have good facilities and I am sure it will be an excellent tournament, where we will be able to enjoy good tennis and where the Yucatan fans will be the winners of having a show of this level,” he added.
Ian Smith, supervisor of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), led the draw for a tournament that includes four singles matches, with a doubles duel in the middle of the series.
“We are hosting this magnificent and prestigious event that has hosted all the stars of world tennis throughout its history. This is the second time we have been given this honor in the last 10 years,” said Jorge Haro Giffening, director of the Cup’s organizing committee.
Pacheco Méndez will start the competition tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. at the Club Campestre, against Fajing Sun; while in the second match, Ernesto Escobedo will face Rigele Te.
On Sunday, in the doubles, the veteran of a thousand battles, Santiago Gonzalez and Miguel Reyes Varela, will face Xiaofei Wang and Zhou Yi.
The series will close with a match between Escobedo and Sun, as well as the match between Pacheco Mendez and Rigele Te.
After the draw, the Mexican team presented the governor with an autographed T-shirt, while the players of both teams exchanged gifts.
TYT Newsroom
