The Lebanese Tennis team has hit an international achievement, during the weekend. With a convincing victory over China Taipei (3-2), as part of the first round in the Asian-Oceania second group Davis Cup, which was held at the Stadium of Taadod in Beirut.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Youth and Sports Mohamed Fneish, represented by his advisor Ali Fawaz, MP Atef Majdalani, the President of the Olympic Committee Jean Hammam, the President of the Higher Center for Military Sports, Brigadier General Georges El-Had and many other dignitaries as well as the international Olympic Reporter Jihad Salama.
In the first match, Lebanese Benjamin Hassan dominated, not without difficulty, Cheng-yu Yu in three sets 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. A few hours later, Hady Habib gave Lebanon a comfortable lead winning Kuan-yi Lee 6-4, 6-3.
On their way, during the doubles match, Giovanni Samaha and Hady Habib bore the “coup de grace” to Ti Chen and Cheng-yu Yu (6-1, 7-5), allowing Lebanon to reach the next level. Later in the match Ti Chen and Cheng-yu Yu defeated Michel Saadeh and Jad Balut 6-0, 6-0, in the last two meetings.
In April, The Lebanese team will face the selection of Hong Kong, who got rid of Iran in Group II, Asia-Oceania.
The president of the Lebanese Tennis Federation, Oliver Faisal, thanked the coach and the players, saying: “You are the pride of the Cedar nation.”
(Picture Gallery and Videos at the end of the page.)
Giovanni Samaha wrote on his facebook account:
Interview with Giovanni Samaha
The opening Ceremony
