- 30
- Jan.
- 2025
The battle is on! This weekend, the Lebanese Davis Cup team will face Peru in a decisive duel, the outcome of which will determine a coveted place in World Group I, the elite division of international tennis.
The pressure is on for the Lebanese national Davis Cup team as they prepare for a decisive battle against Peru in the qualifying round for entry into World Group I, the elite division of international tennis.
The matches, scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Cairo's Smash Sporting Club, will determine whether Lebanon finally regains its place among the world's tennis elite. The stakes are high: a victory would offer direct qualification among the top nations on the circuit.
A Tense Draw
The draw took place on Thursday morning in the presence of Alain Sayegh, President of the Lebanese Tennis Federation, several members of the federal committee, coach and former international Fadi Youssef and Lebanese players Hady Habib, Benjamin Hassan, Hassan Ibrahim and Fadi Beidan. On the Peruvian side, the South American delegation was also complete.
The formula is simple: the first team to score three wins from five matches seals its qualification. Two singles matches will open the hostilities on Friday, before three potential confrontations on Saturday, including an explosive doubles match that could turn the tie on its head.
At the draw ceremony, Alain Sayegh expressed his optimism, saying that the objective was clear: to return Lebanon to the closed circle of World Group I. “We have confidence in our players and we know that they will give their all to honor the colors of Lebanon,” he declared.
An Ambitious Lebanon Ready to Rise to the Challenge
Currently ranked 46th in the world, Lebanon will be fielding a strong, motivated and confident squad. At the head of the team, Hady Habib (ATP 166) arrives in fine form after an exceptional run at the Australian Open, where he picked up three victories in qualifying before signing his first historic Grand Slam success.
At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Habib had the honor — and misfortune — of facing world number 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the first round. Although unsurprisingly beaten, his participation remains a major achievement for Lebanese tennis, confirming its rise to prominence on the international scene.
Alongside him, Benjamin Hassan (ATP 231) enters this confrontation with his confidence boosted after a memorable run at the Olympic Games. He made history by beating Christopher Eubanks in the first round, becoming the first Lebanese player to win an Olympic tennis match. In the second round, he fought hard against Sebastián Báez (ATP 18), losing only in the third set tie-break (6-2, 3-6, 7-6(3)).
The rest of the team represents the future of Lebanese tennis. Fadi Beidan (born 2006, ATP 1233) represents the new generation, while Hassan Ibrahim, although unranked, is ready to give his all for the Cedars. The team is managed by Fadi Youssef, former international player and coach of the national team.
Sayegh Explains
In an exclusive interview with Ici Beyrouth, Alain Sayegh, President of the Lebanese Tennis Federation, shared his thoughts on the player selection strategy and his ambitions for the national team.
According to him, the main selection criterion is the ATP ranking. With a limited number of ranked players in Lebanon, the choices are relatively straightforward and essentially based on each player's ranking. However, he points out that if the number of ranked players were to increase, selection would become more complex and would take into account the playing surfaces best suited to each player, as well as their recent performances.
As for the chances of qualification, Sayegh was confident and optimistic.
“We have a real chance of qualifying, with a probability of around 60% in our favor,” he asserted. However, he pointed out that if Lebanon were to win against Peru, another match would be necessary to definitively confirm qualification.
“Our players are talented and determined. We have excellent coaching and optimum preparation. All the indicators are green,” he added.
On the logistical front, Sayegh explained that the International Tennis Federation has not yet authorized matches in Lebanon due to the security situation. The Lebanese Federation will have to wait for an official ceasefire before it can organize international matches on its soil.
Finally, he praised Hady Habib's performance at the Australian Open and highlighted the return to form of Benjamin Hassan, who, after an injury-plagued 2024 season, is now ready to play a key role for the team.
A Tough Opponent
Peru won't be a spectator against them. The South American team, with its experience and superior ranking, will be looking to impose its rhythm from the very first exchanges.
Peru (ranked 34th in the world) field an experienced and formidable team. Juan Pablo Varillas (ATP 188), the highest-ranked player in the South American squad, will be joined by Ignacio Buse (ATP 237) and Gonzalo Bueno (ATP 256).
Doubles could play a decisive role in this confrontation, with the Peruvian pairing of Conner Huertas del Pino (ATP 794) and Alexander Merino (ATP 187), who are used to major tournaments. The Peruvian team is led by Luis Horna, a former professional player turned coach, known for his ability to get the best out of his players in high-stakes matches.
Lebanon in Search of a Major Feat
The verdict will be in on Saturday. Victory would give Lebanon a place of choice on the world tennis scene and reinforce its status on the international stage.
Lebanon has already proved in the past that it can compete with the great tennis nations. This weekend, it has a date with history.
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