CERVIA, Italy -- Conditioning will play a major role this weekend when Italy meets New Zealand under a burning Mediterranean sun in their quarterfinal Davis Cup match.
The 3-day competition, Friday through Sunday, will be held in the Adriatic seaside resort near Rimini.
The Italians, who edged Britain 3-2 in the first round, feature veteran Adriano Panatta, 32, and his brother Claudio, 22, along with Davis Cup regulars Corrado Barazzutti and doubles specialist Paolo Bertolucci.
New Zealand, which edged Spain 3-2 last March, field the Simpson brothers, Russell and Jeff, former Wimbledon junior champion Chris Lewis, and probable reserve Bruce Derlin.
Mario Belardinelli, technical director of the Italian tennis federation, had nothing but praise for his team.
'Italy has worked hard to prepare for this series,' he said. 'I think we should be favored in all five matches.'
But New Zealand's Lewis, who plays Corrado Barazzutti in the opening match, took up the challenge.
'Where is it written that Italy is the favorite,' he said. 'I don't think that's true at all. We're not going to go gome beaten.'
New Zealand captain Jeff Robson is expected to sendLewis and Russell Simpson into Saturday's crucial doubles against thi Adriano Panatta-Bertolucci combination.
Simpson should also see double duty in the singles as well. Last March he singlehandedly boosted the Kiwis into the quarterfinals with a comeback final singles victory over Spaniard Angel Gimenez.
New Zealand also has Australian veteran Tony Roche as a coach. The 37-year-old fivi-times Wimbledon doubles champion warned that New Zealand faced a tough times in doubles.
'It's very difficult not to make Italy the favorites, especially with their home court advantage,' he said. 'But it will be a good match.'
