Weintraub still ailing, Botzer on deck for Argentina tie

Despite training with the team on Wednesday, Weintraub remains a doubt for the tie having played just one match in more than three months due to a groin injury.

By ALLON SINAI
Bar Bot zer said he will be ready to play should Amir Weintraub (inset) be sidelined from this weekend's Davis Cup World Group playoff tie against Argentina in Sunrise, Florida. (photo credit: ITA/COURTESY)
Bar Bot zer said he will be ready to play should Amir Weintraub (inset) be sidelined from this weekend's Davis Cup World Group playoff tie against Argentina in Sunrise, Florida.
(photo credit: ITA/COURTESY)
 Israel’s Davis Cup captain Eyal Ran will have to wait until Thursday to discover if Amir Weintraub will be fit to face Argentina in the World Group playoffs this weekend in Sunrise, Florida.
Despite training with the team on Wednesday, Weintraub remains a doubt for the tie having played just one match in more than three months due to a groin injury.
He will undergo a fitness test on Thursday to determine his availability.
Should Weintraub, whose ranking has dropped to No.
263 in the world, be unable to play, 20-year-old Bar Botzer (776) will take his place.
“I’m feeling okay, I’m back training and I have come here to play,” said Weintraub, who underwent surgery in late July after unsuccessfully trying to overcome the pain with injections.
“I will do everything I can to play but the bottom line is that we also have Bar here and he is an excellent player who can get the job done.”
Botzer said he is ready should he be called upon.
“I’m preparing in case the captain needs me,” he said.
“I’m ready to play and I’m very excited. This was one of my goals in life and this is a dream come true. However, Amir is here and I think he will be fine.”
Weintraub, who celebrates his 28th birthday next week, has backed up Dudi Sela with resounding success over the past couple of years, winning at least one match in six of the seven ties he has played since making his Davis Cup debut in March 2011.
Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich will team-up for the last time in the doubles match on Saturday, with Ram announcing earlier this year that he will retire following the tie against Argentina.
Argentina will be led by Leonardo Mayer (25), Carlos Berlocq (67) and Juan Monaco (102), with Horacio Zeballos (ranked No. 63 in doubles) the team’s doubles expert.
The captains’ nominations and the order of play in the singles rubbers on Friday and Sunday will be revealed in Thursday’s draw.