Great Britain Lose Davis Cup Tie

2 months ago 21st Sep 12:58

Despite having Andy Murray, the world number three, in the squad that wasn't enough for team GB as they lost their Davis Cup tie and were relegated.

Trailing Poland 2-1 overnight after losing the doubles on Saturday hope was re-ignited when Murray took to the court at the Liverpool Echo Arena to see off Jerzy Janowicz in straight sets.

The British number one played down a wrist injury to take to the court in a fired up no messing about mood.

He broke Janowicz in the fourth game to open up a 3-1 lead, and Janowicz won just two more games that set as Murray, who seemed to be in no mood to hang about, wrapped it up 6-3.

Into the second set and Janowicz's serve came under pressure from the off as he faced five deuces but managed to hold.

But Murray broke and the set was all but over as Janowicz could never get on top of the Murray serve, which was firing beautifully for most of the afternoon.

With the crowd well and truly on his side Murray played some of the best tennis he has played all year and an outrageous low angled shot saw the Scot break in the opening game.

The Pole did have a bit of joy in the third set as he finally got some break points in came four but Murray snuffed out the danger immediately before going on to wrap up the set.

With his 6-3 6-4 6-3 the tie was well and truly alive and going down to the fifth and deciding rubber.

And it was down to debutante Dan Evans to win the tie for Great Britain as he faced Michal Przysiezny.

In the absence of Jamie Ward, due to glandular fever, it was Evans' turn to step up to the plate but had a disastrous match against Jerzy Janowicz on Friday going down in straight sets.

Despite the home support Evans just couldn't get into the match and the opening set was a very one sided affair as Przysiezny dominated on serve.

Evans was broke to love in the third game and that pretty much wrapped up the set as Evans struggled to get himself fired up for the match.

Into the second there was more of the same as Przysiezny continued to dominate the Briton's serve as Evans won just three games in the first two sets.

But in the third Evans finally realised where he was and it looked like a revival may be on the cards as the teenager produced some lovely tennis and broke the Pole on two occasions.

But his inexperience told as he failed to capitalise on those breaks as he allowed Przysiezny back into the set and he wrapped up the victory 6-2 6-1 7-5 to relegate team GB to Group 2 and put Andy Murray's Davis Cup future in doubt.

In other Davis Cup news the World Group final will be between defending champions Spain, who saw off Israel 4-1, and the Czech Republic, who overcame Croatia 4-1, in December.