New Zealand Secures Davis Cup Victory Over Georgia in Palmerston North

New Zealand triumphed over Georgia in the Davis Cup World Group II tie, securing a decisive 3-1 victory on Sunday, March 3, 2024. The win was propelled by the outstanding performance of James Watt, who delivered an impressive singles victory against Aleksandre Bakshi in Palmerston North. Watt’s victory came after teammates Ajeet Rai and Finn Reynolds staged a remarkable comeback to win the doubles match, setting the stage for New Zealand’s progression to a World Group I playoff next year.

Watt, aged 25, played above his world ranking of 569, showcasing his talent throughout the tournament. He opened the tie with a victory over Zura Tkemaladze on Saturday at the Fly Palmy Arena, before overpowering Bakshi with a score of 7-6(3) 6-2 on Sunday. Bakshi, the highest-ranked Georgian player available for the tie, had previously defeated Jack Toutit in straight sets, leveling the contest at 1-1 after the first day of matches.

The doubles match proved pivotal, with Rai and Reynolds rallying from a set down to clinch a thrilling 5-7 6-2 7-6(4) victory over Bakshi and Alexandre Metreveli. This win shifted momentum back in New Zealand’s favor, leading to Watt’s subsequent triumph over Bakshi. With the tie already secured, the final rubber between Toutit and Tkemaladze was rendered unnecessary.

Following his victory, Watt was embraced by his teammates as they celebrated on the court. He expressed gratitude to the crowd for their support and highlighted the motivation he received from his teammates. “This is a dream come true for me,” Watt told Sky Sport. He attributed his success to his powerful serving, recording 13 aces in his match against Bakshi. “I got up there and thought, ‘I am going to go after it.’ It got me out of a few sticky situations and got me through in the end as well,” he added.

New Zealand’s victory not only showcases their strength in tennis but also positions them for a more competitive challenge in the upcoming World Group I playoff. Meanwhile, Georgia will have to prepare for a Group II playoff as they look to regain their footing in international tennis competition.