Accra, July 4, GNA - As the Golden Rackets, Ghana's tennis team battles Georgia in the Euro-Africa Zone II play-off, Veronica Commey of the GNA Sports Desk profiles the nation's number two seed Gunther Darkey, ahead of the July 15-17 game.

Gunther took over from the former icon, Frank Ofori in the new millennium as the top seed and have until recently been the hub around which the Golden Rackets have revolved.

Gunther, 27, a quiet but firm-minded gentleman has struggled with the team in the Euro-Africa Zone II category, slumped to Zone III until they recaptured their former position in far away Namibia.

The baseliner and a United Kingdom-based is a product of Ghana's junior team who was spotted in the 90s after an amazing show of talent. Once Ghana's highest ranked player at 400, Gunther's performance is not as glittering as it was when he first gained promotion into the seniors division due to some nagging injuries.

His ability to endure to the end, perhaps helped the nation during difficult moments when all seemed to have been lost. No wonder his scintillating performances at the world stage coupled with discipline made him Ghana's number one seed until the injury rendered him inactive. Weighing 63kg, Gunther got to his peak in 2001 when he was ranked 400, a feat he maintained until he was rocked by the injury in 2004. The player's desire for a great comeback last March after a long lay-off when Ghana played Finland did not materialise as he failed to pass a late fitness test.

The former top seed made his debut for the Golden Rackets in 1999 as a deputy to Ofori and he is hoping to re-enact his fearsome form beginning this Friday.

Though Ghana has not recorded many victories under his reign, the inspirational Gunther has sturdily shown the way with impressive wins over his opponents even when his colleagues had performed below par. 04 July 05