About 1,600 spectators at the Campus Hall expected a victory against South Africa, at the first Davis meeting that Israel hosts after four and a half years, but what they saw last weekend on the tennis court in Ashdod - they doubted they would see.
The confrontation opened with a pleasant surprise.
Drup's senior batsman Lloyd Harris received Daniel Zuckerman as his first opponent, replacing Idan shortly before the start. Immediately after Zuckerman, Yishai Uliel came up to try to balance the result against Rowan Roulopsa, and the senior Israeli (343 in the world) did not disappoint with a light 2: 6 3: 6 over the South African (1,078) - 1: 1 at the end of the first day.
The Israeli team celebrates, Photo: Oren Aharoni
Today we already had a purpose-built display in blue and white.
Captain Yoni Ehrlich and Zuckerman went up to the doubles match, defeating Harris and Raven Klassen (24 in the world in doubles) 6: 7 (3), 6: 3, 3: 6, and then, when Harris was already exhausted, Uliel defeated him in the decisive match 3: 6, 4 : 6 and arranged for himself the great victory of his career, which also gave Israel a sensational 1: 3 and immigration to the battle for a place in the World Cup.
The Israeli public is thirsty for a resurgence of the industry, and this victory must fly it to their consciousness.
On the part of the players, they must leverage this weekend for personal achievements in the round. In the coming days we will know who will be the next opponent on the way home to the world, and the team will have to focus on only one thing - to maintain the same ability it showed against South Africa.
The Israeli team celebrates, Photo: Oren Aharoni
"I am very excited, happy and proud of each of the guys, both those who played and those who did not," said captain-actor Yoni Ehrlich.
"There is really good harmony in the team. There have been great games, and I have no choice but to take my hat off to the players. I am happy for them that they saw that it can be done with faith, and that almost anyone in the world can be won. It is great for the industry, "In front of the Israeli audience - there is nothing more powerful than that. Representing the team is something special and exciting every time, there is no second to it. I hope that the next meeting will also be in Israel. After four and a half years of foreign meetings, we deserve to host here again."
The Israeli team celebrates, Photo: Oren Aharoni
On the decision to hold the meeting in Ashdod, Ehrlich said: "The decision was excellent. First time playing in the Davis Cup outside the center. Aspired and many thanks to the tennis association, we trained, but we saw the team work from morning to evening to set up this facility. I want to thank the municipality Ashdod and the Sports Authority, who hosted us here so beautifully. "
Yishai Uliel, who brought the big win: "I think throughout the week I felt amazing, and I said I was very optimistic about the meeting. The atmosphere was amazing, the confidence I got from the whole team and the point of Yoni and Zuckerman in doubles took a lot of pressure off me. "By no means do I want to convey that I recommend for the mother to be inactive."
Yishai Uliel celebrates, Photo: Oren Aharoni
Daniel Zuckerman: "We have proven that together we can win a team like South Africa, with players in the top 40 in singles and doubles. I could not ask for a more cohesive team than we have. This is my first time playing Davis in the country, and I think I performed not bad at all."
Idan Leshem: "We are a young and new team, but have known each other for many years, training and playing in a round together, and each time we show our abilities."
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
If you found an error in the article, we'll be happy for you to share it with us
