Leshem lost to Ouzoulins, ranked 1,290 in the world 6:0, 6:3. Zuckerman was actually able to stretch Gulbis, but surrendered 6:1, 2:6, 7:6 (2)
A bad start for the Israeli Davis team in tennis, which fell behind 2:0 against Latvia. Idan Leshem, Israel’s top racket (359 in the world) was unconditionally defeated against Carliss Ozolins (1,209 in the world) 6:0, 6:3 in a match where the Israeli was actually the favorite and later Daniel Zuckerman (367) lost to veteran Ernests Gulbis 6:1, 2: 6, 7:6 (2). In the first game in Riga, Ozulins simply abused his Israeli opponent and broke him repeatedly on the way to a crushing 0:6 in the first set. Leshem made mistake after mistake in this game and in the second set he gave a little more fight, but broke to 4:2 and from thereOzulins’ path to victory was short in a game that ended after only about an hour. In the second game Zuckerman came back from a set deficit with an impressive 2:6 in the second set, held several break points in the third set in what could have marked the way for him to victory, but finally succumbed to the 34-year-old Gulbis, who at his peak was ranked 14th in the world. This is a critical meeting for the Davis team to survive in the 1st regional (Europe/Africa) plant. Last year the team beat South Africa 1:3 and lost 3:1 to the Czech Republic in Israel.
Tomorrow the remaining three games will be played. First the pairs and then the singles matches – if they are needed.