San Luis Potosi, Mexico – Despite giving their all, the South African junior Davis Cup team lost their final round robin match on Thursday at the Junior Davis Cup Final campaign being played in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
Sweden beat South Africa 2-1.
South Africa made a confident start to the tie when Richard Thongoana beat Swede, David Norfolk 6-3 6-4.
But then Sweden leveled matters when their number two player, Karl Friberg beat Calvin Jordaan 6-4 6-3.
A disappointed team coach Jared Temlett said “after a clinical performance by Thongoana, Jordaan just couldn’t carry on the winning run losing in a match which was very evenly matched. Calvin always gives 100% in matches and it was no different today. Unfortunately for him and the team today he struggled to gain any momentum in the match due to too many unforced errors.”
In the deciding doubles rubber the South African team came out firing all cylinders. However Damon Kesaris and Thongoana could not convert any of their many chances. Kesaris and Thongoana lost to Karl Friberg/Jonas Eriksson-Ziverts 2-6 3-6
“The boys had so many chances” said Temlett. “ Damon and Richard had 21 break point opportunities throughout the match and only managing to convert 2.’
“It was real agony again for the South African team as they gave their all against Sweden today. It was another frustrating day for the team results wise, but on the positive side it has been an invaluable experience for the boys to get the chance to play against the best in the world” continued Temlett.
South Africa now have lost all their Group C round robin matches. On Tuesday fifth seed Argentina beat South Africa 2-1 and on Wednesday third seed Japan beat the South Africans 3-0.
South Africa will now play out for positions 13 – 16 today (Friday) and Saturday.
