Zimbabwe and Ivory Coast won their final round-robin ties on Wednesday to join Tunisia and Benin in the promotion play-offs at the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Africa Zone Group III event, being played in Tunisia this week.
Tunisia and Benin maintained their perfect record in the competition with 3-0 wins over Ghana and Algeria respectively, but it was Zimbabwe and Ivory Coast who needed a victory to advance, and both teams delivered.
Zimbabwe overcame Namibia 3-0 to seal second place in Pool A. Benjamin Lock defeated Tuki Jacobs 64 62 to get the ball rolling, allowing Mark Fynn to clinch the vital point with a 76(5) 64 victory over Jean Erasmus. The rout was completed by Lock and Tendai Tapfuma in the doubles rubber.
Ivory Coast also won both singles matches to help them record a 2-1 win against Kenya and a second place finish in Pool B. Aboubacar Sigue overcame Ismael Mzai 64 76(4) in day’s opening rubber, before Terence Nugent put the tie beyond doubt after his 61 75 triumph over Mohammed Fazal Khan.
Friday’s promotion play-offs will see Pool A winners Tunisia take on Ivory Coast, and Pool B winners Benin face Zimbabwe. The two winning nations will be promoted to Group II for 2013. The teams will have a rest day on Thursday.
Click here to view more information about the event, including full results.