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Sports Reporter
THE ZIMBABWE Davis Cup team were left with a tough task to turn the tables after losing their opening two singles matches yesterday against Tunisia, in the World Group II Knock-outs, in Tunis.
The tie is being played over two days and Tunisia took a giant step towards winning the tie, when they secured a 2-0 lead, yesterday.
First on court was Mehluli Sibanda, who took on Malek Jaziri, and lost in straight sets 0-6, 1-6.
Benjamin Lock, who is the best-ranked Zimbabwean player, then lost to Tunisia’s number two, Aziz Dougaz 6-2, 6-7(6), 5-7.
The Zimbabwean top player had a promising start taking the first set 6-2 but Dougaz fought back to claim the second, and third sets, to give the hosts a 2-0 lead, going into today’s matches.
Today, Benjamin team up with his younger brother Courtney Lock, for the doubles.
They will face the pair of Jaziri and Skander Mansouri.
Benjamin will then play Jaziri, in the reverse singles, while Sibanda has a date against Dougaz.
Captain Gwinyai Tongoona said it was a tough day for the team but is hoping they can turn things around.
“It was a tough one today. Benji had chances and it could have easily been 1-1, after his match, but that’s how Davis Cup goes.
‘‘It was a heart-breaking loss for us.
“The crowd really helped their player today. We will go and fight for doubles tomorrow and see how it goes.
‘‘If we take the doubles, we are back in it,” said Tongoona.
The other team member for Zimbabwe is Thabo Ncube.
The winners will proceed to the 2022 World Group I Play-offs while the losing nation will compete in the World Group II Play-offs.
Online Reporter