Israel edges Latvia in thriller

A DETERMINED comeback from 0-2 rubbers down against Latvia in Riga last weekend has seen Israel achieve a 3-2 Davis Cup tie victory, enabling it to remain in World Group One in 2023. Latvia, the World Group Two reigning champions, won the first two singles matches of the tie, thanks to a 6-0 6-3 win by Karlis Ozolins over Edan Leshem, and a gripping 6-1 2-6 7-6 (7-2) win by Ernests Gulbis over Daniel Cukierman. Undeterred, Cukierman and Leshem – after a pep talk from Israeli team captain Yoni Erlich – teamed up to win the doubles rubber 6-3 6-3 over Ozolins and Gulbis, to keep the tie alive.Erlich then picked Yishai Oliel to play the crucial next singles rubber versus Robert Strombachs, which Oliel won 6-1 6-4 In a thrilling three-set deciding singles rubber versus Ozolins, Cukierman prevailed 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-4. The Israeli squad members embraced (pictured) in a team huddle on court, surrounding an Israeli flag, showing just how much the 3-2 away victory meant to them in tennis’ annual men’s world cup competition.

Credit AJN