South Africa Trail Morocco 2-0 in Davis Cup as Germany, France and Argentina Advance

Posted : 14 September 2025

South Africa have been left with work to do after falling 2-0 behind Morocco on the opening day of their Davis Cup World Group II tie in Pretoria. Despite the deficit, team captain Pietie Norval remains optimistic his side can bounce back in Sunday’s doubles and reverse singles fixtures.

In the first singles rubber, South African No. 1 Alec Beckley pushed Morocco’s Yassine Dlimi to the limit in sweltering conditions. Beckley held two match points late in the second set but failed to convert, allowing Dlimi to rally and eventually claim a 6-7, 7-6, 6-2 victory. The South African, who has recently battled illness and is playing with two torn ligaments in his left hand, said he gave everything in front of the packed crowd at Groenkloof Tennis Club.

“It was there for the taking. It was on my racket, and I never thought for a second that it was over,” Beckley said. “I’m obviously disappointed about how quickly it turned, but I fought hard in every aspect.”

The second singles saw Davis Cup debutant Marc van der Merwe start strongly, taking the opening set against Morocco’s top player, Taha Baadi. However, Baadi found his rhythm and dominated the next two sets, completing a 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 win. Van der Merwe admitted the occasion brought added pressure and acknowledged that his opponent raised his game significantly after the first set.

Norval said the team still had hope of mounting a comeback, banking on their strength in doubles. He is considering pairing Beckley with Thando Longwe-Smit against Yassine Dlimi and Younes Lalami Laaroussi, though Beckley’s fitness remains a concern after his grueling opener. “We’re not down and out yet,” Norval insisted. “If we can take the doubles, then suddenly the pressure shifts back onto Morocco.”

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Davis Cup qualifiers, Germany became the first team to book their place in the Final 8. They completed a 4-0 sweep over Japan in Tokyo, with Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz clinching the decisive doubles before Justin Engel sealed the rout.

Argentina also secured qualification after Andres Molteni and Horacio Zeballos gave them an unassailable lead over the Netherlands in Groningen. Austria advanced in dramatic fashion, overturning a two-match deficit to edge Hungary 3-2 in Debrecen.

France booked their ticket to Bologna with a 3-1 win over Croatia, while Denmark took a surprise 2-0 lead over Spain thanks to victories by Holger Rune and Elmer Moller. Belgium are also in control of their tie against Australia, leading 2-0 after Raphael Collignon upset Alex de Minaur and Zizou Bergs battled through cramps to defeat Jordan Thompson.

With several ties still in the balance, Sunday’s action promises more decisive moments as nations fight for a place in November’s Final 8 in Bologna.

South Africa Trail Morocco 2-0 in Davis Cup as Germany, France and Argentina Advance

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