Henman and Rusedski ready for heat of Davis Cup battle

Roger Taylor, the British team captain, has admitted that the heat in Morocco is "hard work" for his team as they prepare for this weekend's Davis Cup tie.

Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski go up against Younes El Aynaoui and Hicham Arazi with a place in the World Group at stake and Taylor concedes that the Casablanca temperatures are testing the British duo.

"It's hot and it is hard work, but we see it as a challenge and we're really looking forward to testing ourselves at the weekend," said Taylor.

Henman agreed with Taylor, but insisted that he and Rusedski are feeling confident ahead of Friday's opening singles matches. "It's been hot and we've been putting in a lot of hours on the practice court which has been enjoyable and should stand us in good stead," he said.

The British No 1 has been impressed with the team's treatment by the Moroccans, although he does not expect any favours once the competition starts.

"Since arriving last Wednesday, we've been treated very well and the facilities are first class," he said. "I played out here back in 1992 and it was my first real senior satellite event.

"The club had a lot of courts, but since then they've added a really nice stadium court which they're opening today so we'll be able to test it out tomorrow."

Belgium's hopes of winning the Fed Cup suffered a serious setback yesterday after the French and US Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne pulled out of the November competition with a back injury.

Henin-Hardenne, the world No 2, said: "A little bit of rest is necessary. I like to play for my country, it's a disappointment for the federation and for my fans."

Although she said the injury was not serious, Henin-Hardenne said she wanted to ensure she would be 100 per cent fit for next season.

Her compatriot, the world No 1, Kim Clijsters, has already hinted that she might not take part in the women's team event after the International Tennis Federation decided to award the semi-final and final to Moscow.

Russia was chosen to host the competition over the three other semi-finalists: Belgium, United States and France.

Clijsters and Henin-Hardenne had been expected to spearhead the Belgian challenge in the event, which starts on 19 November at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow.