Morocco Edges Italy in Junior Davis Cup
Morocco's under-16 boys' team won 2-1 over Italy in play-off action at the 2026 Junior Davis Cup Finals in Cairo.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Tennis
Morocco's boys' under-16 team defeated Italy 2-1 on Friday, November 6, in the first round of the 9th-to-16th place play-offs at the 2026 Junior Davis Cup Finals in Cairo. Samy Iraqi clinched the opening point with a super tie-break win over Daniele Longo, and Iraqi and Reda El Aouni took the doubles.
Why it matters
The result keeps Morocco in contention for a higher placing in the tournament after losing all three group-stage ties against Brazil, Hungary, and Spain. It also shows the team recovering with a win in the placement rounds.
Samy Iraqi won his singles match 6-7, 6-1, 10-0 over Daniele Longo, and Iraqi and Reda El Aouni won the doubles 6-3, 6-3 over Giorgio Ghia and Zeno Roveri. Reda El Aouni lost his singles match to Zeno Roveri 5-7, 6-7.
The players
Samy Iraqi
Moroccan junior tennis player who won his singles match and, with Reda El Aouni, the doubles for Morocco against Italy.
Reda El Aouni
Moroccan junior tennis player who lost his singles match to Zeno Roveri and teamed with Samy Iraqi to win the doubles.
The details
Iraqi gave Morocco the opening point, and Italy drew level after Roveri beat El Aouni in the second singles match. The doubles pairing of El Aouni and Iraqi then secured the decisive win for Morocco. The tie was held at the Smash Sporting Club in Cairo.
Timeline
Friday, November 6, 2026: Morocco defeats Italy 2-1 in the play-off round.
Saturday, November 7, 2026: Morocco is scheduled to face the United States for 9th to 12th place.
November 2 to 8, 2026: The 2026 Junior Davis Cup Finals are held in Cairo.
Season Trajectory
Morocco's team exited the group stage without a win, so this play-off victory determines whether the squad finishes in the upper or lower part of the 9th-to-16th bracket. The result is a single step in the tournament's placement rounds rather than a shift in overall standing.
Morocco's placement in the 9th-to-12th bracket depends on the Saturday match against the United States, which will determine its final ranking at the tournament. A win would move the team higher among the play-off finishers, while a loss would leave it in the lower part of the bracket.
The takeaway
Morocco's win over Italy shows a team capable of rebounding in the placement rounds after a winless group stage. Its next match against the United States will decide the final placing in the 9th-to-12th bracket.
What happens next
Morocco is scheduled to face the United States on Saturday, November 7, 2026, for 9th to 12th place at the Junior Davis Cup Finals in Cairo.
Further reading
For more junior and professional matches, see the Tennis section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Yabiladi.
