Egypt and Madagascar were promoted to the Europe/Africa Zone Group Level II in next year's Davis Cup, Ghada Abdel-Kader reports The Davis Cup Europe/Africa Zone Group III 2011ended in Cairo on Saturday with Egypt and Madagascar promoted to the 2012 Europe/Africa Zone Group II stage. In the playoffs, Egypt beat Zimbabwe 2-0 while Madagascar beat Algeria 2-1. On the first day, Egypt beat Rwanda 3-0. Rwanda later withdrew and the entire points given to Egypt. On the second day, Egypt defeated Benin 3-0. In the first two singles matches, Egypt's 25-year-old Sherif Sabri, ranked 663 in the world, beat Benin's Magloire Yakpa, 20, 6-1, 6-1. Egypt's 21-year-old Mohamed Safwat, ranked 491 in the world, defeated Benin's Alexis Klegou, 22, 7-5, 6-2. In doubles, Egypt's Karim Maamoun, 20, ranked 936 in the world, and Sabri teamed up to defeat Benin's Klegou and Tunde Segodo,17, 7-6(3), 6-2. On the third day, Egypt beat Nigeria 3-0. In singles, Sabri defeated Nigeria's Lawal Shehu, 26, ranked 1,581 in the world, 6-3, 6-2. Safwat beat Nigeria's Abdul-Mumin Babalola, 27, ranked 1,330 in the world, 6-2, 6-4. Sabri and Safwat beat Babalola and Shehu 6-2, 7-6 (1) in doubles. On the fourth day, in singles, Egypt defeated Madagascar 3- 0. Sabri beat Madagascar's Jacob Rasolondrazana, 27, 6-3, 6- 4. Safwat defeated Madagascar's Lofo Ramiaramanan, 22, ranked 1,339 in the world, 6-4, 4-6, and 6-1. In doubles, Sabri and Safwat defeated Ansto Rakotondramanga, 23, ranked 1,474 and Rasolondrazana 6-3, 6-3. In the first to fourth place playoffs, Egypt beat Zimbabwe 2- 0. In the single matches, Sabri beat Zimbabwe's Benjamin Lock, 18, ranked 696 in the world, 6-0, 6-3. Safwat defeated Zimbabwe's Takanyi Garanganga, 21, 6-2, 7-5. The double match was not played because Egypt already qualified. Madagascar beat Algeria 2-1. In the 5th to 6th play-off, Benin beat Ghana 3-0. In the 7th to 8th play-off, Nigeria beat Côte d'Ivoire 2-1. "The players had an outstanding performance in the championship. Their commitment was amazing. The team's spirit is one," Egyptian Davis Cup team coach Tamer El-Sawi said. "Plans for the future include taking a break for a few days. Then, the technical staff will evaluate what we have done and what can be improved." El-Sawi said he was currently in contact with Egyptian Tennis Federation head Israa El-Sanhouri "to find out what the federation can offer." "We were ready for every match," Sabri said. "Each match is different depending on the difficulty of the match. Every player on the team was performing the best he can." It was not the first time Sabri participates in the Davis Cup; the difference was the new coach Tamer El-Sawi. "It is more organised by the federation and El-Sawi. We felt we were one team. We were rooting for each other. The spirit of the team is totally different." ITF (International Tennis Federation) tournament referee supervisor Anton Rens told Al-Ahram Weekly: "I think it was a very successful week for Egypt. Since I arrived, I believed from the beginning that Egypt will qualify because it was the only team that had all their four players seeded. "The Egyptian squad played very well. Going throughout the singles matches without losing showed how dominant they are. I think Sherif Sabri was the best No 2 in the tournament. In many other teams he could be No 1." Rens added, "The organisation and the cooperation from the Smash Tennis Academy were very good." Overall, Rens had high praise for the players, coaches and spectators. Safwat will play in challenger championships in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in August. Sabri will join him in the middle of August. In September, they both go to the 10th All-African Games in Mozambique. "It's a good opportunity for us to improve our ranking. This is one of our main targets with coach El-Sawi. Each player wants to improve his ranking to be able to compete in Group II next year," Safwat added.
