Former Flame Longwe-Smit Secures Davis Cup Victory
9/18/2025 1:34:00 PM | Men's Tennis
PRETORIA, South Africa. – Former Flame and South Africa native, Thando Longwe-Smit (2020-24) began his professional career in international competition, picking up a doubles victory against Morocco this past weekend.
South Africa ultimately fell to Morocco 4-1, but Longwe-Smit helped secure the nation its lone triumph of the matchup. Longwe-Smit was paired with Alec Beckley in the lone doubles of the match of the meeting.
The pair came out on top following a contentious first set, taking the tiebreak for a 7-6 (7-5) first set win. Morocco's Tassine Dlimi and Younes Lalami fought back in the set with a 6-3 score. The South African duo fought through a tight, deciding third set. The match was extended into another tiebreaker, in which Longwe-Smit and Beckley came out victorious with a 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-6 (3) final score.
Longwe-Smit followed fellow South African native and former Flame and assistant coach, Christiaan Worst. The former competed in the Davis Cup for South Africa on two separate occasions in 2023 and 2024. Worst held a 4-0 mark in doubles play at the Davis Cup.
Before joining the Flames this Summer, transfer addition David Ekpenyong, has also competed in Davis Cup competition for his native Nigeria. Ekpenyong is 2-2 in singles and 1-0 in doubles in the international event.
South Africa suffered a loss in the match, unable to pick up a win in four singles matches. South Africa prepares for the World Group ll Playoffs in 2026.
South Africa ultimately fell to Morocco 4-1, but Longwe-Smit helped secure the nation its lone triumph of the matchup. Longwe-Smit was paired with Alec Beckley in the lone doubles of the match of the meeting.
The pair came out on top following a contentious first set, taking the tiebreak for a 7-6 (7-5) first set win. Morocco's Tassine Dlimi and Younes Lalami fought back in the set with a 6-3 score. The South African duo fought through a tight, deciding third set. The match was extended into another tiebreaker, in which Longwe-Smit and Beckley came out victorious with a 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-6 (3) final score.
Longwe-Smit followed fellow South African native and former Flame and assistant coach, Christiaan Worst. The former competed in the Davis Cup for South Africa on two separate occasions in 2023 and 2024. Worst held a 4-0 mark in doubles play at the Davis Cup.
Before joining the Flames this Summer, transfer addition David Ekpenyong, has also competed in Davis Cup competition for his native Nigeria. Ekpenyong is 2-2 in singles and 1-0 in doubles in the international event.
South Africa suffered a loss in the match, unable to pick up a win in four singles matches. South Africa prepares for the World Group ll Playoffs in 2026.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
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