After the conclusion of the collegiate team season, Baylor men's tennis senior Jimmy Bendeck helped Team Honduras make history at the 2018 Davis Cup May 28-June 2 in Escazu, Costa Rica.
With a win against Paraguay in the Group III playoff round last Saturday, Honduras ascended to Group II for the first time in their history.
Bendeck was the clinching singles point after he took a 6-4, 6-3 win over Ayed Zatar for the 2-0 victory.
“I just played a solid game of tennis. It was just about energy and wanting it more than anyone else that was out there,” Bendeck said. “It was pretty special for Honduras. This is my second year, but the guys I’m playing with have been playing for the country for nine or so years, and this is the farthest they’ve ever gone. It’s a really special moment for tennis in Honduras.”
In a narrow 2-1 loss to the Bahamas to start out pool play, Bendeck had a 6-2, 6-1 loss to Baker Newman but came back for the 6-2, 6-2 win with Alejandro Obando in doubles action.
In a 3-0 sweep over Bermuda, Bendeck rolled to a 6-2, 6-1 win over David Thomas in singles action. He teamed up with Alejandro Obando for the 6-1, 6-2 doubles victory.
In the team’s 2-1 win over Antigua & Barbuda, Bendeck dropped a 6-0, 6-1 defeat to Jody Maginley but came back with Obando for the 6-2, 6-4 doubles win.
In the final match before the playoff, Honduras dropped a tight 2-1 loss to Jamaica as Bendeck fell 6-2, 7-6 singles match to Rowland Phillips.
In all, Bendeck went 2-3 in singles action and 3-0 in doubles play for Team Honduras.
After sitting out the second half of the season due to injury, Bendeck finished his junior campaign at Baylor with a 13-9 overall singles record and a 4-2 mark in dual-match play. He went 10-8 overall and 6-4 in dual-match doubles action.
