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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Davis Cup team will be hoping for better fortunes today when they return to action against Uruguay in the World Group II Play-offs, after the first day of the tie ended 1-1 at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
This left the tie open and both teams will be out to take control early, starting with the doubles match before they go for the reverse singles. Zimbabwe had a tough start with their number two player Courtney Lock losing 3-6, 2-6 to Uruguay’s number one Martin Cuevas.
The first set appeared to be balanced in the early stages but Courtney got unwell as he proceeded to the back of the court and vomited with the first set score at 4-3 in favour of Cuevas.
He got medical attention twice on the court during the match as he continued to play. Cuevas took the first set 6-3 and going into the second set he was in control of the match to win in straight sets.
Going into the second singles match, Benjamin Lock knew he had to win to keep the tie alive when he took on Uruguay’s number two Ignacio Carou and he managed a 7-6(5), 6-4 victory.
Benjamin had to dig deep as the two players went toe to toe in an evenly contested match that lasted 2 hours 18 minutes.
It was Benjamin Lock who emerged the winner, to keep the tie open going into today’s doubles and reverse singles.
The doubles match will be crucial in setting the tone for today.
“The tie is alive. I think this is going to be a very big match tomorrow (today).
“The doubles would be extremely crucial. Courtney and I have been playing great doubles, and we have been playing a lot together. “And I think for the Uruguayans, they have a very good doubles team but they haven’t played a lot together. They have good individual doubles players, so we will see how it goes.
“We have some statistics and data on them which we have collected from their past matches, so we will go through that and get a good game plan.”
Benjamin Lock said he also didn’t feel good towards the end of the second set but was confident they should be ready for today’s match.
“At 4-3, on the changeover, I just started to feel a bit dizzy and didn’t feel so good. And then I had a strain in my hamstring.
“So it was a little bit concerning towards the end because I couldn’t serve properly…I don’t know what it could be, (a) combination of maybe something that we ate, the altitude as well. We have been leaving abroad, playing in Europe. Its sea level and the altitude here, it’s quite difficult for the lungs, we are quite high up.
“But it’s a little bit alarming. But anyway we will be fine for tomorrow (today). I am feeling a lot better now. So I’m just going to get good recovery and get ready for the doubles,” said Benjamin Lock.
The Zimbabwe number one player said they knew it was going to be a tough clash against Uruguay, who are the number one seeds in the Group.
The Lock brothers will team up against Uruguay’s pair of Cuevas and Ariel Behar for the doubles match.
Benjamin Lock will then take on Cuevas while Courtney Lock is up against Ignacio in the reverse singles.
Courtney Lock said what happened yesterday was unfortunate but what’s important going into today’s match is the fact that they managed to at least win one of the singles matches yesterday.
“I think the most important thing is we won one going into tomorrow. So I think the crowd can rest easy. We are okay, we will be here for doubles tomorrow (today),” said Courtney.
Today’s matches start at 10am.
Online Reporter