The Zimbabwe Davis Cup team will need nothing short of a miracle to bounce back and win the World Group II playoff tie against Hong Kong after they lost both singles’ rubbers at the Victoria Park Tennis Stadiums yesterday.
Number one player Benjamin Lock was the first to go down in the opening singles rubber after losing to the Hong Kong number two player Hong Kit Wong 3 – 6 6 – 3 7 – 5 in two hours 19 minutes.
Wong, ranked 1643 in the world in the singles competition caused a major upset beating a 348 –ranked Lock to give the hosts the lead in the tie.
The results left the country’s number two Courtney Lock with a herculean task of beating the hosts’ top player Coleman Wong who is ranked 247 on the ITF singles’ standings.
It was an easy victory for Wong in the second rubber taking the match 6 – 2 6 – 0 in just 59 minutes.
The Lock brothers will be looking to kick off the recovery mission in the doubles rubber, where the two are formidable, win a win before they can produce perfect in the singles matches today.
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Ranked 54 in Davis Cup, Hong Kong are favourites to clean up the tie against Zimbabwe who have slumped to 73rd place in the competition.
The winner of this tie will progress to play a World Group II tie in September 2024 while Zimbabwe will compete in the regional Group III events later this year.
Also making the Zimbabwe team are Benedict Badza and Tatenda Mutetwa, could get the opportunity to play the singles if Zimbabwe loses the doubles rubber in the morning.
Former Davis Cup player Takanyi Garanganga is the non-playing captain.