Davis Cup: Georgia and Lithuania tied after first matches

Georgia and Lithuania are tied in their contest to advance to the final round of the Davis Cup tennis tournament after scoring a win each in the opening rounds of the fixture today in Tbilisi.

Georgia’s team leader Nikoloz Basilashvili and Laurynas Grigelis of the visiting team claimed victories at the Mziuri Tennis Club in the capital to see the score remain level.

Basilashvili, ranked as world no. 60 in ATP singles ranking, defeated Tadas Babelis (world no. 1334) in three sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 in the first game of the fixture.

Basilashvili photographed in action during his winning match at Mziuri Tennis Club. Photo: Georgia’s Sport Ministry press office.

In the second match Grigelis (249) equalised the overall score between the teams by coming out on top against George Tsivadze (862) with a score 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

The tie between Georgia and Lithuania features five matches spread over three days from April 7-9.

The second day of the fixture will see Basilashvili and Tsivadze team up to face the pair of Grigelis and Lukas Mugevicius in a doubles game.

The final day will involve two more singles matches, with players swapping their matchday one opponents. Basilashvili will take to the court to face Grigelis, while Tsivadze will seek to raise his performance after the day one defeat before challenging Babelis.

The second match of the series saw George Tsivadze face Laurynas Grigelis. Photo: Georgia’s Sport Ministry press office.

The Georgia-Lithuania tie is one of two second round fixtures of Group II for the Davis Cup Europe/Africa division. Georgia reached the tie after defeating Finland in the first round in February.

The three-day series of matches is promoted by local organisers as part of Check in Georgia, a program of international sports tournaments and cultural events throughout the country.

The winner of the ongoing fixture in Tbilisi will advance to the third and final round of Group II to face the winning team of matches between Sweden and Turkey. Third round games will be played in September and determine the team with the prospect to advance to Group I of the division.

Launched in 1900 as a tournament between the United Kingdom and United States, the Davis Cup has grown into the largest annual international tennis competition involving over 130 countries.

Its global scope has lead to the cup being also known as "the world cup of tennis”.