Strong start for Botswana in Davis Cup
Mqondisi Dube | Friday July 19, 2024 16:00
The team is in the same group with Libya, Lesotho, and Madagascar in Pool C. The hosts opened their account with a 3-0 win over Libya on Wednesday and followed it up with a similar victory against Lesotho yesterday. Denzel Seetso and Mark Nawa gave Botswana the perfect start, winning their respective singles ties on Wednesday. Nawa had to come from a set down to beat Ahmed Mouhan 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 while Seetso proved too strong for Mohamed Eljamal, prevailing 6-0, 6-0 in just 45 minutes. Batsomi Marobela partnered Seetso for the doubles and they cruised to a 7-6, 6-0 win over Mohammed Alriqeeq and Mouhan.
Yesterday, Nawa beat Lesotho's Bishop Mosebi 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 while Seetso beat Mpho Leshoele in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. Botswana duo of Esi Molefe and Tsholofelo Tsiang proved too powerful for Lesotho's Leshoele and Mosebi who had teamed up for the doubles. The Botswana pair won 7-6, 6-2 to ensure the hosts have not dropped a point going into the third day of competition. As of yesterday, Botswana was top of the group with Madagascar second while Libya and Lesotho remained winless going into today's decisive ties. It will be a top-of-the-table clash as Botswana faces Madagascar while Libya plays Lesotho. The The winner of the group will likely face Ghana or Uganda who are currently neck-to-neck in Group B. The Gaborone competition has attracted 15 countries including Botswana, Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The countries are competing for promotion to the 2025 Davis Cup Africa Group IV. Two spots are up for grabs.