It might seem like a haul up the slopes of Mount Everest before reclaiming a prized position in the elite World Group of the Davis Cup, but South Africa have started their ascent in style by winning all five matches in the Euro-Africa Group III play-off in Tunisia by a 3-0 margin.
The team, comprising Rik de Voest, Wesley Moodie and the promising Fritz Wolmarans, won all 15 singles and doubles games without conceding a set and will be promoted to Euro-Africa Group II in 2008 — still a long way off the pinnacle performance of becoming Davis Cup champions in the 1970s.
”The opposition in Tunisia might not have been of the most formidable nature,” said South African Tennis Association (Sata) CEO Ian Smith on Monday, ”but it was a sterling performance to win 30 sets in a row.”
Smith pointed out, however, that Euro-Africa Group II presents a far more daunting challenge.
”But with South African Airways on board and finally providing Sata with substantial and enthusiastic sponsorship,” he added, ”we believe the ultimate objective of a place in the World Group over the next few years is not unrealistic.”
South Africa’s white-washed ”victims” at the Avenir Sportif de la Marsa Club in Tunis were Mauritius.
In all, 180 countries compete in Davis Cup competition — second only to soccer as the sport with the highest number of competing nations.
The prestige World Group consists of the top echelon of 16 countries, with Russia the 2006 champions. — Sapa