After putting up a gutsy fight on day two, the Renault South Africa Davis Cup team were handed a 4-1 defeat against Morocco in their World Group II tie at Groenkloof Tennis Club in Pretoria on Sunday.
Having lost the first two singles matches the day before, the SA squad bounced back in the doubles rubber, with Alec Beckley and Thando Longwe-Smit earning a 7-6 3-6 7-6 victory over Yassine Dlimi and Younes Lalami.
In the reverse singles, however, Beckley was not available as he was struggling with illness and torn ligaments in his left hand after playing two matches in two days, and he was replaced by 17-year-old Connor Doig.
- Up against Morocco’s top-ranked player, Taha Baadi, Doig lost in straight sets, with Baadi picking up a 6-3 6-2 win.
- In the dead rubber final match, Moroccan player Karim Bennani beat 19-year-old Leo Matthysen 6-1 6-2.
Renault SA captain Pietie Norval was full of praise for Beckley after he dug deep two days in a row to give his team a chance.
“We knew before we came into this tie how strong their team was, and they were always going to be the favourites, so we had to do everything we could just to be competitive, which we did,” Norval said.
“Halfway through the second set of his singles match, Alec (Beckley) started cramping because he’s been struggling badly with his chest and we’ve had to do a lot of things just to keep him on the court.
“I knew he wasn’t going to be able to play two matches in a row today because he’s almost on his way to hospital – that’s how bad it is – so for them (Beckley and Longwe-Smit) to win that doubles match was absolutely amazing.”
Beckley admitted he felt a bit broken after playing through illness and injury, and he needed to have his condition assessed after the tie.
“I feel rough. After the [singles match on Friday] I pulled myself together for the doubles but I felt like my tank was empty,” Beckley said.
“I was in the locker room, laying down. I spoke to the doctor and there are a few checks we need to do because yesterday’s match pushed me over the limit.
“I have really bad flu or something and we have to check it out, and check my heart. I just need to recover and rest and see what’s next.”
After winning his first Davis Cup match, Longwe-Smit said the doubles result had been bitter-sweet, both for him and the national team.
“It’s a bit strange getting that win on my debut because obviously it’s tough and we’re disappointed with the loss, which is natural,” said Longwe-Smit.
“But to get that doubles win after the 2-0 deficit gave us some hope. That was special to be able to pull that off.
“Alec and I have been friends for a long time, so to be able to share the court in that moment is something I will never forget.”
Next up in the Davis Cup, South Africa will compete in the World Group II playoffs early next year, while Morocco progressed to the World Group I playoffs.
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