Losing to Cyprus 3-2, Egypt was relegated to Group III at next year's Davis Cup. In 2006 Davis Cup action this week, Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis headed the line- up of players for 11 zonal ties sponsored by BNP Paribas earlier this week. At the Heliopolis Sporting Club in Cairo, Inas Mazhar saw up close the reason for the defeat. The world No 10, who has already played 27 times for Cyprus since making his debut at the age of 14 in 2000, came to Cairo for the Europe/ Africa Zone Group II play-offs against Egypt and helped his nation avoid relegation to Group III. And indeed, the 20-year-old showed prowess and experience in leading his country to victory and end Egypt's dreams of remaining in Group II. Cyprus beat Egypt 3-2 because of Baghdatis. The first day saw the first two single matches. Egypt's No 1 Karim Maamoun put Egypt ahead after defeating C Koutrouzas 6-1, 6-2 and 6-0 before Baghdatis beat Karim's younger brother Mohamed Maamoun 6-4 6-3 6-4. In doubles Baghdatis and Kallias beat the Maamoun brothers 6-3 6-3 6-4. In the decisive game, Karim Maamoun failed to keep up with Baghdatis who, though seven years younger than the Egyptian, had the upper hand, beating Maamoun 6-3 6-4 6-3. After the match the Cypriots celebrated victory even before playing the last game which had become academic. Egypt's Sherif Sabri outclassed Baghdatis' elder brother Petro 6-3, 6-2. "I'm glad I was the reason my country remained in Group II. We are still a young team and we proved here in Cairo that we can make lots of good things for our country in tennis," Baghdatis told Al-Ahram Weekly. "I know I was the most experienced player here because I've been playing in major tournaments all over the world and it isn't easy to make it to the top 10 of the ATP ranking. "I can say that yes, I was the key factor behind my team's success." Baghdatis was a finalist at the Australian Open and semi-finalist at both the French Open and Wimbledon. Maamoun admitted that Egypt had lost because of Baghdatis. "He is the world's No 10 and he knows exactly what he is doing. He was leading the match. I tried to do my best but I was aware that he wouldn't be giving me any easy points," sad Maamoun. "The doubles match gave them the lead, because apart from Baghdatis we were better than the rest of the Cyprus team," the 27-year-old Maamoun said. Following the event, Egypt's head coach Khaled Baligh announced his retirement. "I'm sorry I couldn't lead Egypt to the win but it was Baghdatis who denied us the chance to celebrate." Baligh was addressing the crowd before cutting a cake presented to him by the Egyptian Tennis Federation in appreciation for all his efforts with the national team. President of the Egyptian Tennis Federation and board member of the International Federation Ismail El-Shafei said the Egyptians lost because Cyprus had Baghdatis on their side. "So they were better. However, our team did their best and we are glad because they have shown great improvement and progress lately. We will now focus on our development plan set to foster the game and push it forward," El-Shafei said. "The game needs more sponsors so that we can organise major tournaments equivalent to big events as the Grand Slams and the Qatar and Dubai Open. We need $2 million and so far there are no sponsors interested in making the Egypt Open equivalent to other events. That's why we can't organise an Egypt Open because I can't have it only for local players. We need to attract the world's champions and we need the money. So until we can find providers and sponsors the Egypt Open remains suspended," El-Shafei added. Three other zonal group events also took place this week in the Europe/Africa and Asia/Oceania regions. All three events were played on a round- robin basis, with promotion and relegation. The Davis Cup by BNP Paribas is the largest annual international team competition in sport. One of the cornerstones of the tennis year, this prestigious event gives players the chance to represent their country in an otherwise individual sport. Founded by Dwight Davis in 1900, the Davis Cup began as a challenge match between the United States and the British Isles, which was held at the Longwood Cricket Club in Boston, in the US. Davis himself played in the inaugural Davis Cup tie, steering his country to the first of many title victories. The US has won the Davis Cup 31 times, more than any other nation. From its inception, the Davis Cup has attracted the top players of their generation, from former legends such as Fred Perry, Bill Tilden, Rene Lacoste, Rod Laver and John McEnroe to latter day stars such as Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg, Pete Sampras, Gustavo Kuerten and Lleyton Hewitt. BNP Paribas replaced NEC as title sponsor of the event in 2002 after joining the Davis Cup family as an international sponsor in 2001. Entering the 2006 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas were 134 countries, with the leading 16 nations contesting the World Group. By Inas Mazhar
