 Photographer: Marcelo Ruschel
Date: 19 Sep 2009 |  Photographer: Marcelo Ruschel
Date: 19 Sep 2009 |  Photographer: Marcelo Ruschel
Date: 21 Sep 2009 |  Photographer: Marcelo Ruschel
Date: 19 Sep 2009 |  Photographer: Marcelo Ruschel
Date: 21 Sep 2009 |  Photographer: Marcelo Ruschel
Date: 21 Sep 2009 |
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| 27 Oct 2009 | |
| Davis Cup inspires Lapentti |
Nicolas Lapentti has announced he won’t be retiring just yet, citing Davis Cup by BNP Paribas as the reason for his change in heart.
Lapentti had originally planned to bring an end to his illustrious career after this season. However, having led Ecuador to the 2010 World Group, he decided that he will keep playing for at least one more year.
The 33-year-old, along with his younger brother Giovanni, produced an inspired performance for Ecuador in September’s World Group play-off tie against Brazil. He won all three of his rubbers - including two five-setters - to fire his nation back into the elite division.
"The win over Brazil was important for many reasons, especially the situation I found myself in,” said Lapentti, speaking at an ATP Challenger Tour event in Santiago.
“I had considered retirement. It depended on where my ranking was at the end of the year. Reaching the World Group is a big motivation, not only to continue playing next year, but also to approach the tour with a different mindset.”
Lapentti, who turned professional in 1995, reached a career high world ranking of No. 6 just four years later. During his 14 years on the tour, he has won five titles and also reached the Australian Open semifinals in 1999.
In Davis Cup play, Lapentti has contested 93 rubbers, compiling an impressive win-loss record of 61-32, since making his debut against Venezuela in 1993.
Lapentti has only played in the World Group on one other occasion. In 2001, Ecuador travelled to Perth for a first round tie against Australia – a fixture that ended in a 4-1 defeat.
However, it was a few months earlier that Lapentti enjoyed his fondest Davis Cup memory. The occasion was the World Group play-offs, the opponents were Great Britain’s Tim Henman, Greg Rusedski and Arvind Parmar, the setting was the hallowed turf of The All England Club, and the result was a narrow 3-2 win.
“I think the victory over Great Britain in 2000, when we beat them on No. 1 Court at Wimbledon, was our most significant achievement. Before we played Brazil, I knew we would have a chance. We saw that tie in London as being almost impossible,” said Lapentti.
In 2010, Ecuador faces a trip to Croatia for the World Group first round. The two nations have never played each other before but, with a renewed confidence, the Ecuadorians will fancy their chances of producing an upset.
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