Puerto Rico secures promotion to Davis Cup Group II

Team Puerto Rico clinched a promotion to Davis Cup Group II after going 4-1 in the Americas Group III series in San José, Costa Rica, placing second overall with 12 victories against three losses across singles and doubles matches.

By THE STAR STAFF

Puerto Rico’s national men’s tennis team earned promotion to Davis Cup Group II on Sunday, defeating Barbados 2-1 on the final day of the Americas Group III series in San José, Costa Rica.

Puerto Rico clinched the promotion going 4-1 in the tournament, placing second overall with a tally of 12 victories against just three losses across singles and doubles matches.

The first point of the series against Barbados was won by Jake Fellows, who dominated Kaipo Marshall 6-0, 6-0.

In the second match, Puerto Rico’s Yannik Álvarez engaged in an intense battle against Darian King. Álvarez claimed the first set in a dramatic tie-break, but ultimately fell 7-6(7), 3-6, 4-6.

With the series tied, the responsibility fell to the Puerto Rican doubles team of Fellows and Marko Mesarovic, who rose to the occasion with a 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2 victory over the duo of King and Stephen Slocombe to ensure the promotion for Puerto Rico.

“Achieving promotion to Group II was our primary goal, and we are extremely proud of how the team represented Puerto Rico in every match,” said Dr. William Micheo, president of the Puerto Rico Tennis Association (PRTA). “This promotion represents a significant step for Puerto Rican tennis. Group II brings together nations with highly competitive programs and gives us the opportunity to consistently test ourselves against some of the best teams in the region.”

“Our focus will now be on continuing to strengthen our players’ development,” he added. “This achievement is a source of pride for all of Puerto Rico.”