Zayid excels in singles and doubles to ensure a winning start to nation’s Asia/Oceania Zone Group III campaign in Sri Lanka
Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar made a winning start to their 2017 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas campaign by defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 2-1 in the opening Pool B Asia/Oceania Zone Group III contest in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Monday, reports the tournament's official website daviscup.com.
Qatar fought back from being 1-0 down to win on the decisive doubles against their close rivals.
Omar al Awadhi rallied to give the UAE an early lead, defeating Jabor al Mutawa 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 before Mubarak Shannan Zayid leveled proceedings with a thumping 6-2, 6-0 win over Fahad Hanahi.
Shannin Zayid rode Qatar's newfound momentum through the deciding rubber, teaming with Mousa Shanan Zayed to beat Alawadhi and Hamad Abbas Janahi of the UAE 6-4, 6-4 in the doubles.
The victory was Qatar's first over their neighbouring nation since 1996, but improved the overall head-to-head between the two nations in Davis Cup to three wins apiece.
Qatar made its Davis Cup debut in 1992 and has played in Asia/Oceania Zone Group II on three occasions.
The Qatar team celebrated winning the match with a #Qatari flag &"Tamim the Glorious" logo, said a tweet from Qatar Tennis Federation.
The Asia/Oceania Group III Pool B consists of Lebanon, Malaysia, UAE and Turkmenistan besides Qatar.
The winner of Pool A will play-off against the runner-up of Pool B and the winner of Pool B will play-off against the runner-up of Pool A to determine which two nations will be promoted to Asia/Oceania Zone Group II in 2018.
Qatar will play Turkmenistan on Wednesday next before meeting Lebanon on July 20, and Malaysia on July 21.
Lebanon made their mark on the opening day in Pool B, swiftly seeing off Turkmenistan 2-0.
Hady Habib gave Lebanon a flying start, dropping just one game in a ruthless 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Goergiy Pochay, before Giovani Samaha completed the job with a 7-6(1), 6-2 victory over Yuriy Rodusskiy in rubber two.
Meanwhile, hosts Sri Lanka, a year on from suffering relegation, made a strong start beating Jordan 2-1 in their opening tie.
The host nation, whose 5-year stay in Asia/Oceania Zone Group II came to an end 12 months ago courtesy of a thumping 5-0 defeat to Indonesia, looks intent on an immediate return to the third tier of the competition in front of home fans this week.
Comfortable singles wins for Harshana Godamanna and Sharmal Dissanayake, over Seif Adas and Mousa Alkotop, respectively, put the tie beyond doubt, though there was a fitness scare for the duo in the dead doubles as they retired while trailing Alkotop and Hamzeh al Aswad 6-4, 6-5 in the third rubber.
Pacific Oceania was also victorious against Syria in the other tie in Pool A on Monday, with Heve Kelley battling to a 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 victory over Yacoub Makzoume before Colin Sinclair cruised to a 64 60 win over Kareem Al Allaf.
Pacific Oceania is eyeing a place in Group II for the first time since 2012 this week, having spent the last five years bouncing between Groups III and IV.