Despite being visibly disappointed after narrowly losing out in the second match, the Renault SA Davis Cup team remained confident after they found themselves level at 1-1 on the opening day of the World Group II playoff tie against Nigeria at Groenkloof Tennis Club in Pretoria on Saturday.
Philip Henning, the SA team's top-ranked player, dominated his singles match against Nigeria's No 2 David Ekpenyong, coasting to a convincing 6-1 6-1 victory.
In the second singles rubber, Kris van Wyk dug deep against Christopher Bulus, but Nigeria's No 1 clinched a narrow 3-6 6-3 7-6(4) win to draw his team level.
Look at what it means 🇳🇬 😍
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) February 1, 2025
Christopher Bulus of Nigeria defeats Kris Van Wyk of South Africa in World Group II of the #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/SJ29Yk05x2
After losing the first game of his match, Henning broke serve three times to win the first set, and he never looked back, putting the hosts on the front foot.
"I had a good match today and I think I played well," Henning said afterwards.
"I felt a bit nervous because it was my first competitive match of the year, but I found my groove in the middle of the first set. I felt confident and didn't make a lot of errors."
Henning gives Renault SA team the perfect start! 🙌
— Tennis South Africa (@TennisSA) February 1, 2025
South Africa’s No.1 player, Philip Henning, dominated Nigeria’s David Ekpenyong with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory in the first singles rubber, to give South Africa a 1-0 lead in the Davis Cup World Group II play-offs.
Up… pic.twitter.com/wONUQqUYte
Though he played in blazing heat, Henning said he hadn't been too concerned about the tough conditions.
"As tennis players we play in the heat a lot, but it was pretty gruelling on court. The sun was brutal," he said. "But we put in a good pre-season - I think all of us did in the team - and for a month-long training block we were pushing every day, so we're used to it."
In the second match of the day, Van Wyk was 5-1 up in the first set, and while Bulus fought back hard, the South African managed to maintain his composure to win the set 6-3.
After losing the second set, however, and being edged out in a tie-breaker for the third, Van Wyk admitted his lack of composure had let him down.
It's level in Tshwane at 1️⃣-1️⃣!
— Tennis South Africa (@TennisSA) February 1, 2025
Nigeria’s 🇳🇬 Cristopher Bulus defeats South Africa’s 🇿🇦 Kris van Wyk 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(4).
Who will come out on top on Day 2❓@Barco Greeff#DavisCup#DavisCupRSAvsNGR pic.twitter.com/msb6XFWIcK
Nonetheless, Van Wyk believed he could come back stronger in the return singles to be played on Sunday.
"I worked really hard to be prepared for this, and it just didn't go that well," Van Wyk said.
"So what I need to do now is look at what I can improve going forward, and I just think we need to stay positive."
Pietie Norval, the Renault SA Davis Cup captain, felt the hosts were still in a strong position to win the tie, with the doubles rubber and both return singles matches to be played on Sunday.
"We are one-all, so it's still there for the taking, and on paper, not that it means much, I feel we're better (than Nigeria) at doubles," Norval said.
"We still have to go execute, and if we can get through the doubles and go into the singles at 2-1, then we're in quite a strong position with our match-ups, just needing to win one of the next two.
"We're going to stay positive because that was our pact among each other (ahead of the tie)."
If South Africa beat Nigeria, they will avoid relegation from World Group II and earn the right to compete in the promotion playoff to rise to World Group I later this year.