Marrakech – The USM Tennis Club in Casablanca hosted a high-stakes and emotionally charged encounter between Morocco and Colombia, with a coveted spot in the Davis Cup World Group I on the line.
The tie pitted a young, spirited Moroccan side on home courts, led by charismatic captain Hicham Arazi, against a more experienced Colombian team that entered the contest as the favorite on paper.
Over two days, more than 3,000 spectators packed the stands, creating an electric atmosphere that carried the Moroccan players through a fiercely contested battle.
Despite the passionate home support, Morocco ultimately fell short, undone by a lack of experience at crucial moments against the relentless pressure applied by the Colombian players. Yet, the margin was razor-thin.
After the first day ended in perfect parity at 1–1, all eyes turned to Sunday’s decisive matches.
The morning doubles proved pivotal. Facing a Colombian pair ranked inside the world’s top 100, Moroccan duo Younes Lalami and Karim Bennani came agonizingly close to a breakthrough, losing both sets only after two tightly fought tie-breaks.
With Colombia taking a 2–1 lead, Morocco’s hopes rested on Reda Bennani, who needed to repeat his previous day’s heroics to force a decisive fifth match. Roared on by an incredible Casablanca crowd, Bennani nearly delivered.
After dropping the first set 6–1 in under 25 minutes, the Moroccan showed trademark resilience and flair, mounting a stunning comeback to claim the second set 6–4 following an intense, physical battle.
However, possibly worn down by the effort, Bennani was unable to sustain the momentum in the third set, despite a valiant fight.
Colombia thus secured their ticket to World Group I, but Morocco exited the tie with heads held high.
In the end, results mattered less than the message sent. Morocco may not have claimed qualification, but it gained something just as valuable: a united, competitive team and a public fully behind it. The standing ovation from the crowd said it all.
