Monday, July 13, 2009

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Last men standing By DAHALIA SMITH ~ NG Sports Reporter ~ dahalia@nasguard.com: It boiled down to the final match of the three-day long Davis Cup Tie which determined whether Guatemala or The Bahamas would be relegated to the International Tennis Federation's (ITF) Americas Zone Group III in Davis Cup play. In the end, Guatemala recorded the hurtful 3-2 victory over The Bahamas, clinching the Tie in four-hour reverse singles match yesterday afternoon at the National Tennis Center. That result returned The Bahamas to the Americas Zone Group III. Before the tourney resumed on Sunday, Guatemala was ahead two matches to one (2-1) over the home team. On Sunday, Devin Mullings, as the number one player, defeated Guatemala's number two player, Cristian Paiz, 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 and 6-1, in one of the two singles matches scheduled. As a result, Sunday's second match turned out to be decisive fifth match. The Bahamas number three player, Marvin Rolle, faced off against Guatemala's number three player, Julien Uriguen. In the end, Uriguen handed his team the overall victory with a clinching, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 and 8-6 win in a marathon four-hour battle. Play in the fifth set was even and very intense. One of the most crucial points in this decisive fifth set was when Rolle failed to serve out the match at 6-5. Uriguen broke Rolle's serve to tie the fifth set at 6-6. Uriguen then held service to push his team to a 7-6 lead, and then broke Rolle's service again for the win. "I was serving for the match and I got a bit nervous but I gave it my all. I have no regrets," Rolle said after the Tie. Meanwhile, Uriguen described the battle against Rolle. "Winning that match is one of the most amazing feelings ever," said Uriguen. "It was one of the best matches I have ever played and I'm happy to come out on top." Guatemala's captain Manuel Chavez was elated about the victory and remaining in Americas Zone Group II for 2010. "The match was unbelievable. The players put their all into it. This shows that the competition was more than just about tennis," said Chavez. On Friday, the first day of play, Mullings put The Bahamas ahead 1-0 with a 6-3, 6-4 and 6-2 victory over Uriguen. However, on the same day Guatemala's number one player Christopher Diaz got by The Bahamas' number two player Timothy Neilly, 7-5, 6-1 and 6-2. Friday's results saw both sides tied at one match apiece. On Saturday, the doubles match was held. Guatemala took a 2-1 lead when Sebastian Vidal and Christopher Diaz defeated the Bahamian duo of Rolle and Mullings, 7-6 (5), 7-5, 4-6, 3-6 and 8-6. Following the Tie, Mullings appeared disappointed about the loss, nonetheless satisfied with his team's effort. "As far as Marvin is concerned, he left it all out there on the court and I am proud of him. He did everything that he could and it went down to the wire. Marvin fought hard but I guess it was just not meant to be," said Mullings. Bahamas Team Captain John Farrington said that it was a great Tie and all Bahamians should be proud of the players' representation. He added that there will be an opportunity for The Bahamas to return to Group III later this year. "When we are in Zone III, we will have to play everyday. That adds to the pressure of getting back to Zone II but we plan on doing whatever it takes to get back there. We have a great team and we can make that happen," Farrington said. He added that full details about the next Davis Cup Tie will be announced at a later date. Monday, July 13, 2007