- 16:50
The mission appears perilous. After a difficult first day, the Lebanese Davis Cup team is trailing 2-0 against Peru and can no longer afford any mistakes. On Saturday, the Cedars will have to achieve a flawless performance by winning the three remaining matches to hope for a historic qualification for World Group I. An immense challenge, but not impossible.
On Friday, despite total commitment, Benjamin Hassan and Hady Habib failed to turn the match in their favor against the solid and opportunistic Peruvians. Defeated respectively by Ignacio Buse and Gonzalo Bueno, the two leaders of Lebanese tennis saw their team teeter on the brink of elimination in the Davis Cup. Now, the doubles match, scheduled at the start of the second day, will be a final before its time. A victory would allow Lebanon to stay alive and push the match to a decisive fifth rubber. But for now, the focus is on mobilization. The Cedars have no other choice: surpass themselves or go home.
A Difficult Start for Lebanon
The first match of the confrontation set the tone. Facing Ignacio Buse (ATP 237), Benjamin Hassan (ATP 231) hoped to give his team the perfect start. But the Peruvian, in great form, quickly imposed his rhythm, relying on a powerful serve and deep shots that constantly put Hassan under pressure.
From the first exchanges, Buse dictated the tempo with relentless aggression. Despite several attempts to turn the tide, the Lebanese struggled to contain the opponent’s intensity. After losing the first set 6-3, he tried to react, but the Peruvian maintained his grip to secure victory 6-3, 6-2.
Hady Habib, the last hope of the day, then had the heavy task of equalizing. Facing Gonzalo Bueno (ATP 256), the Lebanese gave everything in an intense battle. After losing the first set 6-3, he managed to react brilliantly by claiming the second set 6-2. But in the final set, the Peruvian was in a state of grace, managing to take the upper hand in crucial moments to win 6-4. Despite enormous commitment, Habib fell in three sets (6-3, 2-6, 6-4).
Result: Peru leads 2-0 and needs only one more victory from the three remaining matches to secure its ticket to World Group I. On the other hand, Lebanon must pull off a massive feat by winning three consecutive matches.
A Second Day Under High Tension
Everything will be decided on Saturday, where the doubles match could change everything. The Lebanese pair, probably composed of Hady Habib and Benjamin Hassan, must absolutely win against the Peruvian duo Conner Huertas del Pino and Alexander Merino. A victory in this match would allow the Cedars to keep hope alive and shift the pressure onto the Peruvians.
If Lebanon manages to grab this first point, the momentum of the match could shift. Hady Habib would then face Ignacio Buse in a high-stakes duel, before a possible decisive fifth match where Benjamin Hassan could take on Juan Pablo Varillas (ATP 188), the highest-ranked player in the Peruvian camp.
An ideal scenario for Lebanon? Equalizing at 2-2 and playing everything in one final epic showdown.
The Lebanese captain, Fadi Youssef, refuses to give up. He declared, "We still have a chance. It’s not over. Our players must fight until the last point and believe in their abilities. The Davis Cup is a unique competition where everything can change at any moment."
Meanwhile, Alain Sayegh, President of the Lebanese Tennis Federation, stresses the importance of this encounter: "A victory would mark the history of Lebanese tennis. Our players are talented and capable of achieving an exploit. We must believe until the end."
Is an Exploit Still Possible?
Despite a 0-2 deficit, Lebanon has not said its last word. In the Davis Cup, impossible comebacks exist. In 2019, Canada overturned Italy after losing the first two singles matches. Why not the Cedars? Collective energy, pressure management and physical freshness will be key elements in this battle. Habib and Hassan must embrace their roles as leaders to push their teammates into rebellion.
The challenge is colossal, but not insurmountable. Everything will depend on their ability to draw from their mental and physical resources to force a historic comeback.
On Saturday, Lebanon plays for its destiny. A victory would open the doors to World Group I, while a defeat would mark the end of the dream. The time has come to give everything.
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