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CALM BEFORE THE STORM . . . Zimbabwe Davis Cup tennis team’s non-playing captain Martin Dzuwa (left) poses for a “selfie” with his charges Benjamin Lock, Mark Fynn and Courtney Lock soon after arriving in Georgia yesterday ahead of this coming weekend’s Euro/Africa Group II tie against the European country

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S Davis Cup tennis team member Benjamin Lock says they will have to take it one step at a time when they clash against Georgia in the Europe/Africa Group II relegation play-off tie this week.

The tie is scheduled for this Friday to Sunday at Mziuri Tennis Club in Tbilisi, Georgia, and both countries need a win to remain in Group II.

Lock is the number one player for the Zimbabwean team made up of non-playing captain Martin Dzuwa, Mark Fynn, Courtney Lock and Mehluli Sibanda.

They left for Georgia on Saturday.

Speaking before their departure for Georgia, Lock said there is need to be realistic and to remain focused going into the match.

“You have to go into the match being realistic, knowing that you can win the tie and stay in Group II and that’s really important to stay in the European Zone. But you also can lose, there has to be a loser and we don’t think about that side of it.

“But if that does happen we will go back to the drawing board and we will be promoted and come back to Group II the following year.

“So we are just focusing our energy on the first day. Once we get through the first day, focus on the second day and I know that’s kind of boring to say but that’s what you do as professionals. You focus on one task at a time.

“And there is pressure but it’s pressure for everyone and that’s sports. So I think we are just excited to go there and get it started,” said Lock.

Lock will be the number one player for Zimbabwe in the absence of Takanyi Garanganga who could not make it for this tie.

And Lock, who is usually the number two player in the singles matches, said being on top of the playing order is a blessing in disguise as it takes off a bit of pressure on him.

“I think it’s more pressure to be the number two singles player because you are thrown straight into the fire on the first day, playing the number one player of the other country. And in the past I have always had to play the best player on the other team first.

“So this is quite nice that I get to play their number two first. Obviously it’s going to be a good player but if I can get a win then we are guaranteed to play for it on the last day and then get myself a shot to play their number one player on Sunday.

“And if we can get two wins then it really can go either way. And I am confident our number two singles player can pull through for us. So it actually takes a little bit of pressure off, knowing that you have got a good chance of winning your match.

“But obviously it will be tough and Georgia is a good team, but we also have confidence in ourselves,” said Lock.

Zimbabwe lost their first round match 1-4 to Finland in March and if they lose to Georgia this weekend, they will be relegated to the Africa Zone Group III.

Lock is the best-ranked player in the Zimbabwean team at 982 while Fynn and Courtney are ranked 1 119 and 2 086 respectively in the world.

Georgia’s team is made up of Nikoloz Basilashvili, ranked 104 in the world, George Tsivadze (1 020), Giorgi Javakhishvili who sitting on number 1 500 and Nodar Itonishvili, who is not ranked.

They will be captained by David Kvernadze.