The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
Sports Reporter
Ben Lock hailed the “special team effort” that was on display, as Zimbabwe beat Syria 3-1 in a Davis Cup World Group II play-off at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
Zimbabwe won the doubles match 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 to go 2-1 up, after which the 27-year-old Lock won his reverse singles match 6-4, 6-4 against Hazem Naw.
Lock’s win completed Zimbabwe’s comeback after Mehluli Sibanda lost the first singles rubber 3-6, 3-6 to Hazem Naw, before Lock beat Amer Naow 6-3, 6-3 in the second rubber on Friday.
Zimbabwe’s win has propelled them to the World Group II tie set for September, but the country will only know their opponents when the draw is conducted, at a date to be announced.
“The Zimbabwean team played very solid tennis,” said Lock.
“For Courtney and I to win in three sets was huge. “I kept telling Courts (Courtney) that if we kept returning well, we were going to win the match, and we served well throughout the entire match,” he said.
After taking the first set 6-4, Lock appeared to ease to victory when he broke his opponent in the first game of the second set, but the Syrian Naw fought back by breaking in the next game.
The set went with serve until Naw’s double fault put Lock ahead at 4-3.
He held serve, and his nerve, to win the match. “It is an awesome feeling to close it out on my serve,” said Lock.
“I had chances early on, in both sets, actually got a double break and he hit some really good serves on the line.
“I felt I was one or two points away from making this a comfortable win.
“Credit to the Syrian team, everyone thought they were underdogs coming into the tie, but they clearly showed they have good players.
“They played really well.”
The tone had been set in the first rubber of the day – the doubles match which either team desperately wanted to win to lead 2-1.
Zimbabwe’s pair of Ben and Courtney Lock were quick off the blocks, easing to a 6-1 win in the first set.
Syria’s pair of Yacoub Makzoume and Hazem Naw played more positive tennis in the second set and when Ben Lock double-faulted in game three, Syria took control of the set and never looked back.
This set up a thrilling deciding set, which went with serve until Zimbabwe broke through a Courtney Lock drive.
The crowd erupted, for the match was in Zimbabwe’s control. The hosts went on to serve for the match, which they clinched with a love game. “Going up 2-1 took a lot of pressure off US; so that doubles (win) was important, and credit to the guys for they lost the second set and did not lose heart,” said Zimbabwe captain Gwinyai Tongoona, who hailed the energetic home support.
“Our supporters were fantastic, they carried us through when we needed them, as always, so if get a draw and play at home again, it will good for us.”
He added: “We lost Takanyi (to a knee injury), but I think the guys showed good attitude, and kept working and trying their best.
“I am really proud of them.”
