Peter Polansky's memories of Mexico are understandably a little unpleasant - and it isn't because of an aversion to the sun or the heat or the tequila.
Polansky's tennis-playing career almost came to an early and terrifying end two years ago, or the last time Canada played Mexico in a Davis Cup tie. An alternate on that year's team, Polansky crashed through the window of his Mexico City hotel room during a sleep-walking incident and fell three stories to the courtyard below. He suffered massive cuts to his body, requiring more than 400 stitches, and was in a wheelchair for two months.
Miraculously, Polansky not only survived the fall — he was back playing tennis at a high level again later that summer, playing in the Rogers' Cup as a wild card and then making it all the way to the finals of the U.S. Open junior tournament.
Polansky is front and centre again today, as Canada and Mexico meet in an Americas Zone Group 1 tie. Polansky will play in place of Frank Dancevic, Canada's No. 1 player, who had to withdraw Thursday as a result of a back injury.
Officially, Dancevic - Canada's highest-ranked singles player, at No. 84 in the world - is out with a facet joint strain of his thoracic spine.
With Dancevic sidelined for both all of this weekend's competition, Canadian team captain Martin Laurendeau nominated Frederic Niemayer of Sherbrooke, Que. and Polansky of Thornhill, Ont. to play in today's singles matches.
Niemayer will face the world's 482nd ranked player, Santiago Gonzalez; while Polansky will meet Mexico's No. 1 Bruno Echagaray, ranked 172.
Polansky defeated Echagaray last September 6-4, 6-1 on a hard court in Lubbock, Texas futures event the only other time they've played.
"For Peter, it's a good match-up — to start off against a guy he knows he's already beaten," said Laurendeau. "There's a big difference between playing a futures and the Davis Cup; but nevertheless, you're going in with a win under your belt and you're playing at home, so that's got to feel good.
"Echagaray plays more from the baseline. He's got more of a game that Peter likes to play against. He'll have time to set up his points and rally; that's something he likes to do."
"It was outdoors and conditions were a little bit different," said Polansky, recalling his previous match against Echagaray. "I know he's a good player and I'm expecting a good battle."
It will be only the second time Polansky has played a live Davis Cup match, who came here as the No. 3 player.
"I always come prepared to play because anything can happen in Davis Cup," he said. "It's nothing I'm happy out — that Frank can't play — but I'm also really excited to come out and play Friday …. I'm not thinking about the pressure too much."
Niemayer figures to carry a heavy workload against Mexico. In addition to his singles play, he is also scheduled to play doubles Saturday with veteran Daniel Nestor. Together, they are 9-0 as a doubles team.
Niemayer has been the workhorse of this team for some time now, especially when the venue is Calgary's Stampede Corral, with its lightning-fast Taraflex carpet, which enhances the No. 1 element of his game, a big booming serve. Niemayer is 10-1 overall in doubles, including 5-0 indoors, and is 8-2 overall in rubbers played on home soil. Niemayer won four singles titles last season, all on the Challenger circuit, and finished the year ranked 172 on the ATP tour.
"Physically, I have no problems," said Niemayer. "I've probably trained harder than ever in the months of November and December. I reduced my season last year to prepare myself physically for this season. As you get older, that's more important. I don't have any injuries, so hopefully I'm good to go."
Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, B.C. was added to the roster in Dancevic's place.
Dancevic's absence will put Canada's unblemished record in the cozy, 5,000-seat Corral on the line. Canada is undefeated in four prior visits to Calgary, including three sweeps. Canada needs a win over Mexico to advance to a second-round tie with Chile on the road in April and a chance to advance to a World Group playoff later this year.
As for Polansky, the sleepwalking incident recedes further and further into the background with every passing year.
"After it happened, I put it behind me almost right away," said Polansky. "It wasn't on my mind too much. But it's always going to be a big part of my life."
