Monaco’s team Captain and Balleret (left), saluting Dzmitry Zhyrmont with the Belarusian team Captain (right).

Day One:
Friday, February 1 the Monegasque Benjamin Balleret (ATP 636) beat Dzmitry Zhyrmont (ATP 289) from Belarus in 4 sets in the first singles match of the Davis Cup, group II, Euro-African zone of 16 nations. The youngest Belarusian had some moments of greatness but he lacked concentration and could do nothing against the Monegasque who played his best tennis. The second singles went to the visiting team where Uladzimir Ignatik (ATP 144) beat Monegasque Jean-Rene Lisnard (not ranked) in 3 sets. Celebrated Belarusian player Max Mirnyi ranked 6 in doubles and who will be playing on day two, was on the stand to encourage his countryman.  On a lighter note, we should acknowledge the courage of the net-cord judge who risked his life by staying with his ear close to the net during play, braving the tough exchanges from the players. This is the way it used be done before the arrival of the electronic service line monitor dubbed « Cyclops ». 

a) Balleret Senior congratulating his son  b) The net-cord judge with his ear on the net!
 

Day Two:
Saturday, February 2 – The Belarus doubles team of Max Mirnyi (ranked 6 in the world !) and Andrei Vasilevski (ranked 297) was the favourite to win, but they were overpowered by the home team made of Benjamin Balleret (571) and Guillaume Couillard (945), who were relentless and played with confidence and passion.

The Monegasque doubles team of Guillaume Couillard and Benjamin Balleret

It was a really tough 5-set match and the Monegasques beat the better ranked team. Monaco took a commanding 2-1 lead and will be ready to continue the fight on Sunday with the last 2 singles that will define the winning team. There was more to celebrate today as Bernard Balleret (Benjamin’s father) received a prize from Baroness Elisabeth-Ann de Massy, President of the Monegasque Tennis Federation for having played a total of 30 Davis Cup ties for Monaco over a span of 19 years. His combined tally of 29 wins between singles and doubles remains a national record.

Bernard Balleret receiving the prize from Baroness Elisabeth-Ann de Massy, with the Monegasque team applauding in the background.

Photos by Celina Lafuente de Lavotha