Two historic icons came together this March 4th and 5th in the Principality. Featured were the Monte Carlo Country Club (one of the finest tennis facilities in the world acting as host) and the Davis Cup. The Davis Cup is often referred to as the World Cup of tennis. It is billed as the largest annual international team competition in world sport and was founded in 1900.
Monaco has played in the Davis Cup since 1929 and is featured again this year. The Monegasque Tennis Federation had the privilege to announce the Davis Cup World Group II Play-offs event featuring MONACO against MOROCCO.
Who Would Claim the Laurels
Much is always at stake on the first day of this two-day event. There is an opportunity to break the opponents psychologically with an accelerated start – and indeed Monaco wasted no time.
Excellent performances from Lucas Catarina and Valentin Vacherot led to two straight-set victories against the visiting Moroccan side. Monaco could not have hoped for a better beginning.
Lucas Catarina’s opening match for Monaco set the stage for the rest of the competition. He took the first set (6-3).
In the second set both players struggled to hold serve. Catarina, in the fourth game of the set took hold of the match saving two break points. He eventually served for the match in an exciting battle. His opponent Moundir wasn’t ready to surrender easily. He pulled off some brilliant returns to save three match points. However, Catarina sealed the Moroccan’s fate at the fourth attempt winning (6-3, 6-4). In the second match of the day Vacherot with his big serve came up against Morocco’s Number one, Elliot Benchetrit. On form this should have been a tight match.
To the delight of Monegasque’s watching, Vacherot grabbed the first set 6-2, breaking his opponent twice. The second set was harder going but Vacherot didn’t let the match go to a third set.
Great First Day Results:
Catarina v Moundir (6-3, 6-4)
Vacherot v Benchetrit (6-2, 6-4)
Thus Monaco won both matches to lead Morocco two to zero.
Monaco Coasts to Victory
The players from the Principality’s team also won the 2 matches played on the final day of the Davis Cup match – World Group II Play-offs.
Hugo Nys and Romain Arneodo of Monaco aced the Doubles match against Elliot Benchetrit and Lamine Ouahab 6/1, 6/2 in a fast 50 minutes. Then Lucas Catarina, continued his winning streak by winning the last singles match against Yassine Dlimi.
S.A.S. Prince Souverain Albert II honoured the team with His presence and see them progress in this year’s Cup.
The Monegasque team now qualifies for the next Davis Cup World Group II matches which will be played in September 2022!
Monte Carlo Country Club
The Principality now numbers 2,500 licencees (representing more than 8% of the global population of the country) and currently has the use of 23 outdoor courts at the Monte Carlo Country Club two of which are covered and two are hard.
The Monaco Tennis Federation
Placed under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, the Monaco Tennis Federation has often been involved in some of the major events on the international tennis calendar. Indeed, on two occasions the Principality has hosted the Annual General Assembly of the International Tennis Federation.
And, of course, the Monte Carlo Masters Tournament continues every year to draw the finest tennis players in the world, several of which have decided to make the Principality their home.
