Tennis: Morocco misses chance to qualify to Davis Cup World Group

The Moroccan tennis team misses chance to qualify to Davis Cup World Group after a defeat on Friday at the end of day two of its clash with Italy.

Mehdi Tahiri and Younes El Aynaoui lost their doubles rubber 7-5, 6-1 and 6-2 to Italian duo Daniel Bracciali and Giorgio Galimberti.

On Thursday, Mounir El-Aarej lost at Stadio della Pallacorda Tennis Centre to Potito Starace 6-0, 3-6, 7-5 and 6-0, while Morocco's No.1, Younes El-Aynaoui lost in straight sets to Filippo Volandri 6-2, 6-4 and 6-1.

The last singles will tie Mounir El-Aarej and Filippo Volandri, while Younes El Ayanoui will take on Potito Starace on Saturday.

Morocco was exempted from the first round, while the newly-promoted Italy won 3-0 on March 5 its Europe/Africa Group I match against Luxembourg.

This is the second Davis Cup showdown opposing Morocco to Italy. The first encounter between the two sides dates back to April 2003 in Marrakech when Moroccans triumphed 3-2.