After falling 2-0 behind in the opening singles matches on Saturday, the Renault SA team showed resilience on day two. Alec Beckley and Thando Longwe-Smit delivered a thrilling performance in the doubles rubber, edging out Yassine Dlimi and Younes Lalami 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 to keep the hosts in the contest.

Alec Beckley, Pietie Norval, and Thando Longwe-Smit. Photo: Tennis SA

But with Beckley struggling from illness and torn ligaments in his left hand after two gruelling matches in as many days, he was unavailable for the reverse singles. His place was taken by 17-year-old debutant Connor Doig, who went down 6-3, 6-2 against Morocco’s top-ranked player, Taha Baadi. 

In the final dead rubber, 19-year-old Leo Matthysen was beaten 6-1, 6-2 by Karim Bennani, sealing the North Africans’ comprehensive triumph.

Despite the defeat, SA captain Pietie Norval praised his team’s fighting spirit, singling out Beckley for his commitment.

“We knew coming in that Morocco were the favourites, and we had to do everything to be competitive, which we did. Alec pushed himself to the limit despite cramping and illness, and for him and Thando to pull off that doubles win was absolutely amazing.”

Beckley admitted he was left physically shattered by the weekend’s demands.

“I feel rough. Friday’s singles took it out of me, and by the doubles, I felt like my tank was empty. We’ll do a few medical checks because I pushed my body over the limit. Now I just need to rest and recover.”

For Longwe-Smit, the doubles triumph was a bittersweet highlight on his Davis Cup debut.

“It’s strange to get that win when we’re obviously disappointed with the loss. But to fight back from 2-0 down and share that moment with Alec, who’s been a good friend for years, is something I’ll never forget.”

The result sees Morocco progress to the World Group I playoffs, while South Africa will regroup for the World Group II playoffs early next year.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg