LONDON Feb I Boris Becker re turns to Davis Cup tennis for Germany this we ekend. prepared

to loiget his bitter rivalry with Mu hael Stich and play doubles alongside him, reports Reuter

German Davis Cup captain Niki PiIk said tbe two former Wimbledon champions, who won the doubles gold medal logether at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, had agreed to team up for the home tie in Karlsruhe

I have talked to both of them and they are also prepared to play doubles together. Pilic said. As long as one of them does not have to play a singles match of six hours on Friday there Is nothing to stop the Becker Stich partnership."

Germany, winners three times since 1988. take on a Croatian team spearheaded by big hitting Goran Ivanisevic in one of eight World Group first round matches starting on Friday.

Becker, who led the Germans to their first triumph in 1988 and helped them defend the title the following year, has decided to return to the team after an absence of more than two years.

His decision to pull out of the event to concentrate on his ranking In 1993 came under heavy fire from Stich who led the country to their third victory in 1993.

At one stage of a very public slanging match. Stich. who said Becker should not be allowed to pick and choose when to play Davis Cup, said hi would not represent his country if Becker returned.

With Stich and Becker playing singles and doubles, the Germans have a good chance of clinching this weekend's tie' after the first three matches. But they will be wary of the lanky Invanisevic on the fast indoor surface.

Holders Sweden begin their defence of the title close by in Denmark with no plans to change their 1994 winning formula.

Former world number one

Stefan Edberg, now ranked seven In the world and in form Magnus Larsson will play sin gles while top class pairing Jan Apell and Jonas BJorkrnan take care of the doubles in what looks on paper to be a gentle warm up tie for them

But Denmark have habit of defying the rankings when they have the advantage of home, ground Their team Is led by Kenneth Carlsen ranked 190 with Frederik Fetterlein (125). Patrik Langvardt (363) and Mortenn Christensen (659)

The Danes crashed out In the first round to the Czech Republic, in 1993 and to Sweden In 1994. but posted impressive home wins In World Group qualifiers against Argentina (1992). Croatia (1993) and Peru (1994).

Last year's losing finalists Russia are also looking forward to a none too taxing , tie in Antwerp against Belgium, while Switzerland, losing finalists three years ago take on the Netherlands in Geneva.

Italy have a good chance in Naples against a weakened Czech Republic, whose top players Petr Korda and Karel Novacek said they would not play because of lack of interest and money.

Italy have called up Andrea Gaudenzi and Renzo Furlan as their singles players for the tie on clay, while Stefano Pes-cosolido and Cristian Brand

will form a makeshift doubles parlnershlp

By contrast. Spain have taken their strongest squad to Vienna with French Open champion Sergl Bruguera and last year's Paris finalist Albe-to Berasategui supported by Carlos Costa and Emilio Sanchez.

Austria have one world class player in Thomas Muster, but Alexander Antonitsch. Gilbert Schaller and Gerald Mandi are ranked way below.

Outside Europe South Africa's team — Wayne Ferreira, Marcos Ondruska, Pietie Norval and Gary Muller — shoulder a responsibility not Just for winning but for bringing back the crods and money to tennis when they take on Australia in Durban.

After a slump in the popularity of the sport, the team thought it might haye to scratch from the Davis Cup before securing last minute part-sponsorship and government help.

Australia have brought a six-strong squad — Patrick Rafter. Richard Fromberg. Jaimie Morgan and Andrew Die and the doubles pairing of Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge — to South Africa, planning to make a final choice later in the week.

The strongest tennis nation. the United States, take on France without the world’s top two players Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, who contested the Australian Open fi-n$l last Sunday.

Instead Jim Courier and Todd Martin will be Joined by. doubles team Jared Palmer and Richey Reneberg against a rather pale French team, none of whose players fared well in Melbourne. x

But Yannick Noah, who led France to their first victory in over half a century as non-playing captain in 1991 when they beat the US In the final, may provide some new spark on his return to the Job.

His team consists of Guy Forget. Arnaud Boetsch. Cedric Pioline and Olivier Delaitre.