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Thursday, February 8
 
Romania loses Voinea to injury for Germany tie

Reuters

BRAUNSCHWEIG, Germany -- Romanian No. 2 Adrian Voinea has pulled out of his country's Davis Cup first-round world group tie against Germany this weekend with a groin injury.

Romanian officials revealed Voinea sustained the injury while training on Tuesday and will be replaced by Ion Moldovan, who plays Tommy Haas in the opening singles match on Friday.

Moldovan is outside the top 300 in the ATP rankings but Haas said he was taking nothing for granted.

"He's a very dangerous player who takes a lot of risks. It will not be easy," Haas said of his unheralded opponent.

Nicolas Kiefer, back for Germany after a two-year absence, will play Romania's top player Andrei Pavel in Friday's other singles match on the quick synthetic surface of Braunschweig's indoor hall.

As expected, Germany captain Carl-Uwe Steeb named the experienced pair of Marc Goellner and David Prinosil for Saturday's doubles. They will face Pavel and Gabriel Trifu.

Kiefer last played Davis Cup for Germany in a first-round defeat against Russia in Frankfurt two years ago and left over a row with Boris Becker, then acting as team player/manager.

The 23-year-old will be eager to improve on his embarrassing 1-4 record in Davis Cup singles matches.

"It's a big challenge for him, but I'm sure he's ready for it," Steeb said.

The danger for Germany, who lifted the trophy in 1988, 1989 and 1993, will come chiefly from the unpredictable Pavel, who is capable of beating anybody in the world when on form.

The two nations last met in September 1999 in Bucharest, with Germany winning to oust Romania from the top flight.

Romania was promoted again after victories against Hungary and Zimbabwe last year.





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