Modesto Vazquez was named on Tuesday as new captain of the Argentine team of the Davis Cup in replace of Alberto Mancini, who left the charge after losing against Spain three weeks ago in the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina.

The Argentine Association of Tennis (AAT) said in a communique that Vazquez was chosen to head the Argentine team, and that he will be assisted by Ricardo Rivera.

"We have chosen two professionals with a lot of experiences and a great trajectory in the tennis," AAT president Enrique Morea said.

Vazquez, 59, headed the team between 1986 and 1998, also was captain of the combined from Paraguay and Venezuela and currently is director of Development in that entity.

Rivera is the current captain of the Fed Cup and he led the women's team to the World Group I for 2009.

Morea said that the "AAT was focused on the technical and conduction capacities of both coaches".

Argentina will debut at the first leg of the Davis Cup on March6 to 8 at home against the Netherlands.

The Argentine team reached the finals in 1981 (lost to U.S.), 2006 (lost to Russia) and 2008 (lost to Spain).

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2008)