NAMIBIA on Wednesday maintained their perfect start to the Davis Cup Africa Group III campaign in Nairobi when they chalked up their third consecutive victory.
They beat Mozambique 3-0, following earlier victories against Algeria (3-0) and Uganda (2-1) to remain at the top of Pool B and strengthen their chances of qualifying for Group II next year.
On Wednesday, they convincingly beat Mozambique after Jean Erasmus put them on the winning track with a 6-4, 6-3 victory against Bruno Nhavene.
Namibia team manager Deon van Dyk said Erasmus recuperated after a slow start.
“Jean got off to a slow start, making only one break in the first set, but he upped his game in the second set and played with a more aggressive strategy which enabled him to win the match 6-4, 6-3.
Namibia’s top ranked player Takhula Jacobs also won his singles match in straight sets, beating Mozambique’s veteran player Franco Mata 6-4, 6-1.
Erasmus and Jacobs then teamed up to beat Nhavene and Mata 7-6, 6-4 in their doubles match.
“Takhula overpowered his older opponent with big serves and hard groundstrokes ensuring a 6-4, 6-1 win,” Van Dyk said.
“The doubles match was a nail-biter, but the guys kept their heads with some solid net play to win the match 7-6, 6-4 and give us the 3-0 win,” he added.
Erasmus said he was happy with his performance.
“I felt good about today’s match. It took a little while to get used to the conditions, but luckily I found my groove after a break in the first set and continued to stay aggressive throughout the match, which gave me the upper hand, and I was fortunate enough to close it out,” he said.
“It always feels good to know the team has your back and as a whole we look sharper as each tie is played,” he added.
Jacobs also expressed confidence in his own form and that of his team mates.
“I feel good; I believe in my team and I’m very confident in the abilities of my team mates. I just want to thank Tennis Namibia for the opportunity that they have given us to partake in this prestigious event. This means a lot for Namibian tennis and I hope that we can move forward.”
On Tuesday, Namibia beat Uganda 2-1.
Erasmus beat David Oringa 6-4, 6-0, while Jacobs had few problems in beating Boris Aguma 6-1, 6-1.
Oringa and Simon Ayella, however, beat Erasmus and Deon van Dyk 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the doubles match, as Namibia won the tie 2-1.
Namibia will now play Kenya, who are also unbeaten, in a crucial match on Thursday, which will determine who finishes on top of Group B.
On Saturday, the winners of Group A and B will play the runners-up of each group to determine which two nations are promoted to Europe/Africa Zone Group II in 2019.
Group A consists of Benin, Nigeria, Rwanda and Cameroon.
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