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Takudzwa Chitsiga Harare Bureau
THE Zimbabwe Davis Cup team took a commanding 2-0 lead when they won their opening two singles matches against Moldova in their Europe/Africa Group II relegation play-off tie at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
First on the court yesterday was the country’s top player, Takanyi Garanganga, who pulverised Moldova’s number two player Bmitrii Baskov in straight sets 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 in the opening match.
Garanganga was the stronger and better player and, having settled, he forced errors from his opponent and dominated, winning the match quite easily.
The second match of the day saw Zimbabwe’s number two player Benjamin Lock taking on Moldova’s number one player Andrei Soltoianu and he wasted no time in beating him 6-2, 6-0, 6-2 to give the hosts a comfortable lead going into today’s doubles match.
With a big serve, solid returns and very few errors, Lock quickly took control of the match.
There were some very good points, and although his opponent tried desperately to mix it up, the errors at crucial times cost him, and the Zimbabwean ran away with the match.
Garanganga was happy with his win but believes the stage is different from the last Davis Cup tie game they played against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the same venue in March.
“It’s good to start with a win and I’m happy that we managed to control the tie after today’s matches and we hope to continue like this in the upcoming matches.
“The players from Moldova are young but they have the potential and that will give us the challenge to take this tie seriously. We’re happy that we’re also giving the other players an opportunity to play in the doubles.
“I think this is also good for preparing for the African Games so we’re taking everything seriously,” Garanganga said.
Zimbabwe’s coach Martin Dzuwa said the good start was a welcome move and the players should continue doing so.
“There will always be a start and I guess we’ll have to start from there,” Dzuwa said.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina was tough, it (the tie) was tougher than this one but you know in tennis it’s not easy to play someone who is ranked lower than you.
“Coming to represent their country means they are the best.
“We want to seal the tie tomorrow (today) and it makes life easy on Sunday in the reverse singles but we will just see how it goes. We’re still keeping the same team.
“It’s a good start for us, with Takanyi winning the first match and I think it also boosted Benjy as well who easily took the second match.
“So we’re 2-0 up, it’s a good result though I didn’t expect it to happen like that, but that’s what came out and we are happy in the camp and we look forward to the doubles tomorrow (today),” Dzuwa said.
The event was graced by Zimbabwe Davis Cup legend Byron Black who received a standing ovation from the fans soon after his arrival.
Black’s young brother Wayne is still active and is part of the current Davis Cup team.
The tie continues today with the doubles match and they will see Courtney Lock and Mark Fynn of Zimbabwe squaring off against Eqor Matvievici and Maxim Bulat of Moldova.
The doubles match is scheduled to start at 11am.
The winners of this tie will stay in the Euro/Africa Group II while the losers will be relegated to Group III.
Online Reporter