Cuba optimistic for returning to Davis Cup

 　　HAVANA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Cuban tennis commissioner¹ and one of the best players in the island's history, Juan Antonio Pino, Friday expressed his optimism² on the return of locals to Davis Cup as part of the group America 3.

　　"We have shortlisted a group of talented young players, who have improved in their daily work and we are optimistic, as we have seen how they have been perfecting their game," Pino was quoted as saying by official daily "Granma".

　　The America 3 group will hold matches from June 18 to 27 in La Paz, Bolivia, and includes Cuba, Bahamas, Bermuda, Bolivia, Costa Rica and Honduras.

　　Pino said the return of Cuba to the competition represents a great opportunity, after an absence of five years.

　　"It is a fact that this return gives us prestige³ before the International Tennis Federation⁴ (ITF), motivates the players and gives us the opportunity to develop our sport," he said.

　　The Cuban team is headed by local champion Randy Blanco, and includes also the Cuban number-two player, William Dorante, together with Roberto Cruz, Omar Hernandez and Ernesto Alfonso.

　　This will be the 102nd edition of Davis Cup.

　　Cuba participated in the Davis Cup for the first time in 1924. Then for thirty years, Cuba remained in the Cup, but with poor results, and since 1959 began a long absence which finally ended in 1987.

　　In over seven decades of Cuban presence at Davis Cup, the most outstanding player was Juan Antonio Pino, captain of the national selection⁵ for several years and current national commissioner of the discipline.

　　Pino played 13 years in the Cup, appeared in 63 games, single and double, with 34 victories and 29 defeats.

1 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

2 optimism   

n.乐观，乐观主义

参考例句：

• Don't pour cold water on their optimism.别给他们的乐观态度泼冷水。
• Optimism made him alive through the hard days.乐观主义使他在艰难的岁月里活了下来。

3 prestige   

n.声望，威望，威信

参考例句：

• Their products enjoy ever higher prestige in the world market.他们的产品在世界市场上享有越来越高的声誉。
• He has high prestige among the masses.他在群众中威信很高。

4 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

5 selection   

n.选择，挑选，精选品，可选择的东西

参考例句：

• We left the selection of the team to the captain.我们把挑选队员的工作交给了队长。
• The shop has a fine selection of cheeses.那家商店有各种精美乳酪可供选购。