Pospisil to replace Nestor on Canada’s Davis Cup team

Nestor sidelined with inflamed Achilles tendon

A roster change for the Miele Canadian Davis Cup team was announced on Wednesday as Vernon, British Columbia’s Vasek Pospisil will replace Toronto’s Daniel Nestor for this weekend’s Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Americas Zone Group I first round tie versus Mexico.

Nestor is suffering from an inflamed Achilles tendon which requires temporary rest and treatment. However, the No. 3 doubles player in the world does not foresee missing any upcoming ATP World Tour events. This is the first tie for Canada that Nestor will not participate in since 2001. Nestor holds the record for most years played by a Canadian in Davis Cup at 18, most wins (42), most doubles wins (27) and most ties played (38).

“I’m very disappointed that I can’t be in Mexico with the team, but resting and treating my foot is the priority so that I ensure I don’t miss any time,” said Nestor. “It’s obviously tough for me as I haven’t missed a Davis Cup tie in about ten years and I consider it a very important part of my schedule, but I believe that the guys will do great and hopefully give me a chance to come back for a second round tie against Ecuador in July.”

Pospisil will join compatriots Frank Dancevic (Niagara Falls, Ontario), Peter Polansky (Thornhill, Ontario) and Milos Raonic (Thornhill, Ontario) on the team led by captain Martin Laurendeau to face Mexico from March 4-6. This will be Pospisil’s second tie playing for Canada after making his debut versus Mexico at home in 2008. He was named to the 2010 squad that faced Colombia but did not play after being replaced by Steven Diez.

“Unfortunately, for one of the few times in his 19 years of Davis Cup play, Daniel will not be able to join the team as he must tend to this injury,” said Laurendeau. “Daniel has always prioritized Davis Cup in his calendar and I know it is hard for him to not be part of the team here in Mexico. However, Vasek is one of our many young, promising players who we know can step in and do the job. He is excited to be part of the team and get the chance to play. Daniel is a great leader and he will be missed, but I believe that we have amazing depth on this team that will carry us to a win this weekend.”

The 20-year-old Pospisil reached career-high rankings in both singles (No. 270) and doubles (No. 137) in 2010. His biggest win came at Rogers Cup presented by National Bank in Toronto with doubles partner Raonic. The duo defeated the world’s top two players Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the opening round of doubles in front of a packed home crowd. He also captured four ITF Futures singles titles and an ATP Challenger doubles title at Leon.

Nestor will also be replaced as Davis Cup coach for Canada by former Davis Cup stalwart and Tennis Canada national coach Frederic Niemeyer.

The official draw for the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Americas Zone Group I first round tie will be held on Thursday in Mexico. Play will begin at 12:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 4 with two singles matches. The double match will take place Saturday, March 5 at 2 p.m. ET and the remaining two singles matches will be on Sunday, March 6 at 12:30 p.m. ET. Live coverage of the matches can be seen on Sportsnet ONE.