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Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Davis Cup Team made a quick recovery to beat Cote D’Ivoire 3-0 in their second encounter at the ongoing Africa Group III tournament in Abuja, Nigeria, on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe got off to a losing start when they went down 1-2 to hosts Nigeria in their first tie.
The tournament got underway early this week with six countries, Benin, Namibia, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Zimbabwe taking part.
It ends on Saturday.
The event is being played in a round-robin format. The top three teams will gain promotion while the bottom two teams will be relegated.
Zimbabwe are the highest ranked amongst the countries participating at the event, occupying position 77.
However, the team, made up of the Lock brothers Benjamin and Courtney, and Lyle Zaloumis, found the going tough against Nigeria.
But on Wednesday they put on a good show to dismiss Cote D’Ivoire 3-0, with Courtney Lock beating Francky Martial Hoimian 6-4, 7-5 in the first match.
His brother Benjamin outclassed Myko Yohann Himad Kouame 6-1, 6-0.
They then teamed up for the doubles to defeat Hoimian and Kouame 6-2, 6-2 to put their campaign back on track for promotion back into the World Group II play-offs.
Takanyi Garanganga is the captain and said the loss to Nigeria was unexpected.
“Zimbabwe had a tough loss against Nigeria, and it was unexpected, we had a better team,” he said.
“Early in the morning, it was just raining. So it was delaying play, the conditions just got worse.
“Nigeria took advantage of that. We had a better team on paper, but that loss did not put Zimbabwe in the best position on the first day, which was difficult.
“But we bounced back today (Wednesday) against Cote D’Ivoire, we won 3-0. The whole team played well.”
Zimbabwe are set to face Ghana today.
Online Reporter