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Jamaica relegated to Davis Cup Group III

February 04, 2025
New Zealand’s Ajeet Rai (left) and his teammate Finn Reynolds (right) exit the court after defeating Jamaica’s John Chin (second left) and Nicholas Gore, 6-1, 6-2, as part of a Davis Cup World Group II playoff tie at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre on Sunday. Jamaica lost the tie 2-3.
New Zealand’s Ajeet Rai (left) and his teammate Finn Reynolds (right) exit the court after defeating Jamaica’s John Chin (second left) and Nicholas Gore, 6-1, 6-2, as part of a Davis Cup World Group II playoff tie at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre on Sunday. Jamaica lost the tie 2-3.

KINGSTON, Jamaica:

Despite a valiant effort, Jamaica fell just short in their World Group II tie against New Zealand, losing 3-2 at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre on Sunday.

The result means that Jamaica has been relegated and will compete in World Group III come September.

The Jamaican team of Rowland Phillips, Blaise Bicknell, John Chin, Nicholas Gore, and Daniel Azar was one set away from claiming a historic win over New Zealand's team of Ajeet Rai, Kiranpal Pannu, Jack Loutit, Alexander Klintcharov, and Flynn Reynolds.

With the scores tied at 2-2, the unranked Phillips was on the verge of a surprise defeat of Loutit, ranked 919 in the world, in the deciding reverse singles match.

The Jamaican started well, breaking Loutit twice to take the first set 6-3, much to the delight of the home crowd.

However, Loutit fought back in the second set to win 6-3 to force a third and decisive set.

Phillips seemed on his way to a memorable win after breaking Loutit early in that set to take a 2-0 lead, but he was unable to maintain that momentum and Loutit fought back to take the set 6-3, with the victory helping New Zealand stave off relegation. - CMC

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