The South Africa Davis Cup team showed a lot resolve on the opening day of their World Group II playoff against Montenegro, ending Saturday’s play locked at 1–1 at the Irene Country Club in Centurion.

South Africa struck first through top-ranked Philip Henning, who delivered a composed and authoritative performance in the opening singles rubber against Montenegro’s Aleksa Krivokapic.

After a competitive start, Henning steadily asserted control from the baseline, using a strong serve and measured aggression to secure a straight-sets victory, 6-4 6-2, and hand the hosts an early advantage.