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Benjamin Lock

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
DAVIS Cup team number one player Benjamin Lock will be hoping to lead Zimbabwe to a positive start when he takes on George Tsivadze today in the Europe/Africa Group II relegation play-off against Georgia at Mziuri Tennis Club in Tbilisi.

The other members of the team are his brother Courtney Lock, Mark Fynn and Mehluli Sibanda.

Benjamin will be the first on court against the Georgian team’s number two player, Tsivadze and a win will boost the team’s confidence as they seek to retain their spot in the Group.

If Zimbabwe lose this tie, they will be relegated to the Africa Zone Group III where they will have to play for promotion to return to Group II.

Team captain, Martin Dzuwa yesterday said it’s important they win one of the matches today.

“I would be happy to go 1-1 on Saturday. We have very high chances and I am confident of the players. We are ready to go,” said Dzuwa.

Benjamin had some good moments during the Old Mutual ITF Futures Series, which saw Zimbabwe hosting three tournaments at Harare Sports Club. He won one of the tournaments in the singles.

Number two player, Fynn will take on Georgia’s top seed Nikoloz Basilashvilli in the second match of the day, which is likely to be a tough encounter looking at the rankings of the two players.

Fynn is ranked 1 123 while Nikoloz is 121 and the latter goes into the match as the favourite.

In the doubles match slated for Saturday, Benjamin will partner his brother Courtney against Basilashvili and Nodar Itonishvili.

Zimbabwe would need atleast a win in one of the matches today to keep their hopes alive going into the doubles match tomorrow.

The Lock brothers will be banking on their recent experiences, having won one of the futures events in Mozambique last month.

After the events in Mozambique, they flew to Zimbabwe for the Old Mutual ITF Futures Series that was held from June 20 to July 9 at the Harare Sports Club. And their best performance was reaching the finals in one of the three events.

This weekend’s tie will conclude with the reverse singles on Sunday, with Benjamin clashing against Basilashvili.

Fynn will face Tsivadze.

Both, Zimbabwe and Georgia are out for a victory to remain in Group II.

Zimbabwe lost 1-4 to Finland in the first round while Georgia suffered a 0-5 defeat at the hands of Denmark.

Programme

Today

Singles Matches

George Tsivadze v Benjamin Lock

followed by

Nikoloz Basilashvili v Mark Fynn

Tomorrow

Doubles Match

Nikoloz Basilashvili/Nodar Itonishvili

v Benjamin Lock/Courtney Lock.

Sunday

Reverse Singles Matches

Nikoloz Basilashvili v Benjamin Lock

followed by

George Tsivadze v Mark Fynn.