UAE regain spot in Davis Cup Group III

Dubai: The UAE and Cambodia were the two nations that earned a qualification into Group III for the 2013 season following contrasting wins over their opponents at the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Centre on Saturday.

The UAE secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over hosts Qatar, while Cambodia eased their way past Turkmenistan 3-0 to book a historic first-time place when the play-offs concluded for Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group IV on Saturday.

Led by junior team coach Hesham Bramly, the UAE squad returned home to a rousing welcome led by Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, Vice-President, Tennis Emirates, and Nasser Madani, General Secretary, Tennis Emirates, and other officials at the VIP Majlis of the Dubai International Airport later yesterday.

After spending a few years in Group III, the UAE had slipped back into Group IV for 2012. However, this year there was no denying them a promotion back into Group III with both Omar Behroozian and Hamad Abbas Al Janahi showing fine form.

The build-up towards the Davis Cup was also very important for the UAE with Behroozian and Al Janahi participating in the four tournaments held as part of the GCC Futures Circuit in Fujairah, Bahrain, Riyadh and Qatar.

On the final day of the week-long competition, Al Janahi secured a hard-fought 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 win over Jaber Al Mutawa to give the UAE the lead, after which Behroozian went about subduing Mousa Zayed 6-0, 6-1 to secure his fifth win in the singles for this week.

Team effort

In the dead rubber doubles, the young pair of Abdul Rahman Al Janahi and Saud Al Ali gave a fine performance, but went down in straight sets 2-6, 2-6 against Zayed and Abdul Rahman Hareb.

"This is a team effort and I wish to congratulate each and every member of the squad," Madani told Gulf News.

"Not only are we pleased with the result and the promotion, but we are also happy to see our two younger players get some Davis Cup match experience, and that is going to be vital for building up a secure future for the squad," he added.

"We have taken the first step of entering Group III, and now we have to ensure we stay back in the group."

Cambodia was the other country qualifying for Group III with a fifth straight win this week following their 3-0 drubbing of Turkmenistan.

As per rules, only the top two nations gain promotion for next year, while the remaining eight countries will be joined by the last two finishers from Group III during 2013.

Standings

Positions at the end of the 2102 Davis Cup Group IV Asia/Oceania zone: