
Ellina Mhlanga
Senior Sports Reporter
TENNIS Zimbabwe president, Walter Jera, says more needs to be done if they are to make progress in the Davis Cup.
Zimbabwe were relegated to Africa Group III after a 3-1 loss to Hong Kong in an away World Group II Play-off tie that ended yesterday at the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium.
The team was made up of the Lock brothers — Benjamin and Courtney — Benedict Badza and Tatenda Mutetwa.
They were led by non-playing captain Takanyi Garanganga.
This is the third year in a row that Zimbabwe find themselves back in the Africa Group III and will have to fight for a spot to return to the World Group II Play-offs.
“What this speaks to is that this is where we belong at the moment. This is the capacity that we have. The capacity that we have sent us to Group III.
“What it is then for the way forward is remember we are talking about our youngsters.
“Badza was thrown in last minute, he still won. It does not matter who he played but he won. So, also, that peaks to our future.
“What it essentially entails, is that we need to invest more by still taking advantage of probably Benji being a senior person. But we need to invest more into these youngsters,” said Jera.
Zimbabwe had a difficult start to the tie losing the first two singles matches on Saturday.
Benjamin lost 6-3, 3-6, 6-7(5) to Kit Wong.
Courtney then went down to Coleman Wong 6-2, 6-0 in straight sets.
With Hong Kong leading 2-0 going into yesterday’s doubles match and the reverse singles, Zimbabwe needed to win the doubles to give themselves a chance to fight for a comeback.
But the pair of Benjamin and Courtney were dismissed 6-4, 6-0 by the pair of Coleman Wong and Chun Hun Wong.
Badza, then won the dead rubber against Kwok Shun Dasson Chan 7-6 (5), 6-4, 10-6.
Zimbabwe earned their promotion back into the World Group II Play-offs last August at the Africa Group III event in South Africa.
They were relegated to the less fashionable Group early in the year when they lost to Uruguay in the World Group II Play-offs at Harare Sports Club.