Pretoria, South Africa – Tucker Vorster and Fritz Wolmarans gave South Africa the perfect start against a “tricky” Ireland in the Davis Cup by BNP PARIBAS Euro/Africa Group 2 tie being played at the Irene Country Club outside Pretoria on Friday.
In the opening rubber, South African number two Fritz Wolmarans upset Irelands top player James McGee 7-6 (0) 1-6 6-3 6-4 in a 2hr 55 min thriller.
Tucker Vorster, the South African number one then gave his country a 2-0 lead when he beat Sam Barry 6-1 6-7 (4) 7-6 (5) 6-4
Wolmarans ranked 477 in the world won a hard fought battle over a player ranked some 327 places higher than him on the rankings (150) and who beat Wolmarans in their only previous meeting back in 2013. “I am delighted with the win and to be able to put my country in the lead in front of family and friends means a lot,” said Wolmarans.
All pressure was on Ireland to win the second rubber. Vorster started off well taking the first set 6-1 but the Irish struck back in the second set tiebreaker with Barry winning it 4-7. Tucker regrouped in the third set with focus and determination bringing the South Africa through in four sets. “I knew I had to dig deep and focus on the game and not the score” says Vorster. The Pretoria born Tuckers says playing at home in front of family and friends made him more determined to win”. After 3hrs and 24 minutes Vorster sealed the victory with an ace.
Both Wolmarans and Vorster used their big serves perfectly on altitude to get on top of their Irish opponents.
South African team Captain Earl Grainger could not have asked for a better start from his team but knows that the work is far from over. “I could never have expected this in my wildest dreams but I know that the work is far from over. We have one more rubber to win to clinch the tie and celebrations will only happen after that.”
There will be a lot riding on the Saturday doubles rubber between South Africa’s Ruan Roelofse and Dean O’ Brien as they take on Irelands James Cluskey and David O’Hare. A win for the South African doubles pair would see the country take a 3-0 lead or it will be left for a thrilling Sunday to decide the tie.