Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S Davis Cup team are on a mission to reclaim their lost glory.
And yesterday they got their campaign at the ongoing Africa Group IV tournament underway on a high following a 3-0 victory over Mozambique at the Nairobi Club in Kenya yesterday.
The event is running until Saturday with eight countries grouped into two pools competing.
Zimbabwe, in their first Pool B tie, played Mozambique and emerged victorious, setting the tone for their next encounters against the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola.
First on the court was Ronan Mtisi, and he outclassed Mozambique’s Eric Sigauque 6-1, 6-0.
Courtney Lock followed up with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Luca Santiago De Sousa Figueiredo in the second singles match.
Lock and Mtisi teamed up for the doubles and defeated the pair of De Sousa Figueiredo and Rui Costa Tembe 6-1, 6-1.
The top two nations from each pool advance to the promotion play-offs for the two spots to next year’s Davis Cup Africa Group III.
Pool A consists of Ghana, Algeria, Kenya and Botswana.
Zimbabwe are seeking a quick return to the Africa Group III after they were relegated to the less fashionable Group IV last year.
The other team members are Zamani Moyo, Makanaka Whata and Sean Taruberekera.
They are led by captain Gwinyai Tongoona and was pleased to see his side having a positive start.
“Matches were quite straight forward.
“Both singles, the boys played solid tennis. Doubles was also really good.
“Mozambique team is also very young, but they were fighting, and we had to be sharp,” said Tongoona.
Up next for Zimbabwe is a clash against DRC today.
“Tomorrow will be a tougher match, so we are preparing for that now.
“We have seen a bit of the Congolese playing, so we know what to expect. Winning the first tie is important because we have that one important victory,” Tongoona said.
Going into yesterday’s tie, Lock, who is the most experienced player, said he is taking it one day at a time.
“I like our group. However, these group stages are never straight forward, so we will just take it day by day.
“I like our chances, but we will have to win almost every match and then win on Saturday when it matters most,” said Lock.
Zimbabwe were demoted to Africa Group IV after crumbling to four straight defeats against Senegal, Algeria, Nigeria and Namibia during the five-nations Africa Group III tournament last year.
The event was held at Harare Sports Club, and for Zimbabwe it was their worst Davis Cup campaign in recent years.
In the absence of Zimbabwe’s top-ranked player, Benjamin Lock, the spotlight is on his younger brother, Courtney, who is leading a rather youthful team.
“Davis Cup is always an honour, and I have never turned down the call to duty, outside of injury. So, I am here to fight, give my all for the team and win every match that I possibly can help to.”
And yesterday they did just that.
In the other Pool B tie, Angola beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 3-0.
The bottom two in each pool will compete in relegation play-offs with the losers slipping into next year’s Davis Cup Africa Group V.
