The 30th edition of the ARAG ATP World Team Championship officially gets underway Sunday at the Rochusclub with host nation Germany leading off Center Court proceedings against first-time qualifier Belgium.
The two teams faced off in the Davis Cup quarterfinals this past April, with Germany prevailing 3-2.
Germany, who joins the USA as the only two nations to have appeared in every edition of the World Team Championship, will attempt to reach the final for the third consecutive year. The German squad successfully captured its fourth Championship in 2005 and finished as runner-up to Croatia last year.
The German contingent will be well represented by three of the ATP circuit's fast-rising talents: Philipp Kohlschreiber, Benjamin Becker and Florian Mayer.
Kohlschreiber, ranked a career-high No. 33 in the ATP Rankings, comes in as a first-time ATP singles titlist. He defeated Mikhail Youzhny to capture his hometown title in Munich earlier in the month, and then teamed up with the Russian to claim the doubles title immediately afterwards.
Becker, who became a household name after ending Andre Agassi's career at the US Open, is the 2006 ATP Newcomer of the Year, following the lead of Mayer, who claimed the honors in 2004.
In doubles, the infallible partnership of Alexander Waske and Michael Kohlmann look to uphold their undefeated record in Duesseldorf.
Meanwhile, Belgian Kristof Vliegen will attempt a repeat of his February heroics, when he led his country into the Davis Cup quarterfinals for only the third time in history. Olivier Rochus and Steve Darcis also will represent Belgium.
The Red Group will simulatenously kick off the action on Center Court II, where two-time World Team Champions Argentina will face off against three-time winners Sweden in a rematch of April's Davis Cup quarterfinals.
The three Swedes playing in Duesseldorf this week - Robin Soderling, Jonas Bjorkman and Robin Soderling - were all part of the team defeated the Argentines, 4-1.
The strong Argentine contingent is represented by three players ranked in the Top 40, all who were members of the 2006 Davis Cup finalist squad: No. 22 Juan Ignacio Chela, No. 26 Agustin Calleri and No. 32 Jose Acasuso.
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