Portugal Goes All In Against El Salvador in Davis Cup Tie

The Portuguese national tennis team is set to field its strongest lineup for the Davis Cup Group II tie against El Salvador, scheduled for September 19th and 20th. Captain Rui Machado has called up Nuno Borges, Jaime Faria, Henrique Rocha, and Francisco Cabral with the clear objective of securing a return to the World Group I play-offs in 2027.

The clash will take place at the Polideportivo Merliot in Santa Tecla, and Rui Machado openly acknowledges Portugal's favoritism. "On paper, we are the favorites, and truthfully, our goal is to win this away tie. To achieve that, we are bringing our strongest possible team," stated the national coach.

Despite their favored status, the captain is well aware of the challenges, particularly the climate conditions and adapting to the hardcourts of the Rafael Arevalo Stadium. "Our priority is for the players to adapt as best as possible, because we know we'll encounter a different climate than ours, and that requires adaptation, which is always difficult. The plan is to arrive early to prepare and bring the victory home," he emphasized.

This marks the seventh consecutive away tie for the Portuguese team, a consequence of the draw following their defeat in China in February. The squad selection continues to prioritize the highest-ranked players in the ATP rankings.

Nuno Borges, currently ranked 47th in the world in singles, leads the contingent. The player from Maia, representing the Escola Ténis da Maia, receives his 11th call-up. Since his debut in 2021, he has won five of seven singles matches and four of five in doubles.

In the doubles category, the focus is on Francisco Cabral, ranked 29th in the specialty. The player from Jic – Jogadores Independentes de Clubes – who has partnered with Borges, has been called up for the tenth time and boasts four wins in five matches since 2022.

Jaime Faria (79th in singles), from Clube Ténis CAD, and Henrique Rocha (125th), from Escola de Ténis da Maia, complete the quartet. Faria, 23, is making his fifth appearance and is seeking his first victory. Rocha, 22, has an impeccable record, having won all four singles matches he has played, including a notable triumph over former world number two, Casper Ruud.

Rui Machado expressed confidence in the chosen group: "We are taking four players. Nuno Borges, Jaime Faria, Henrique Rocha, and Francisco Cabral have consistently shown a high level in their careers and in the Davis Cup, so we have a strong team, not just for now, but for the future."

Portugal holds the 38th position in the nation rankings, while El Salvador is 56th. The home team, captained by Lluis Miralles, secured their spot in this stage after defeating Benin. Their main standout is Marcelo Arevalo, currently ranked sixth in the world in doubles and a former world number one, who recently competed in the final of the ATP Masters 1000 Canada. In singles, their highest-ranked player is the young Juan Carlos Fuentes Vasquez (2168th).