Wednesday, February 25, 2015

GB Davis Cup: Andy & Jamie Murray named in team to face US

Tennis Updates:


Andy Murray could team up with his brother Jamie in the doubles after both were named in Great Britain’s Davis Cup team to face the United States. The tie takes place in Glasgow from 6-8 March and will be Britain’s first World Group contest at home since 1999. The doubles could see the Murrays face another set of brothers in Bob and Mike Bryan, the world number one pairing. James Ward is in line to take the second singles spot behind Andy Murray, with Dom Inglot making up the team. British number three Kyle Edmund will travel to Glasgow as the reserve player. The US will led by captain Jim Courier, with world number 20 John Isner in the number one singles spot and 45th-ranked Donald Young taking the second.


Jamie Murray has earned his place having reviving his career in the last two years after it had slipped into the doldrums. He is now ranked the world’s 31st doubles player following victory in the ATP Brisbane Open and reaching the final in Rotterdam earlier this month with Australian foil John Peers.


The presence of him and Andy in the team promises to make it an emotional three days, as this will be the first time they have played in Scotland since his younger brother won the Wimbledon title. The world number three is likely to have to take on the responsibility of playing three days in a row, although that could depend on the outcome of the first two singles matches.


Jamie Murray returns to the British team for the first time since 2011 after a strong start to 2015 that has seen him win the doubles title in Brisbane and reach the final in Rotterdam alongside Australian partner John Peers.

“I’m happy and proud to be back in the Davis Cup team,” said Murray, a year older than brother Andy at 29.


“It’s been seven years since I last played a World Group match so to be playing at home in Glasgow will make it extra special.”


Ward, 28, has firmly established himself as the number two singles player in Britain at 108 in the world, and the Londoner enjoyed a memorable win over Querrey when GB beat the US in San Diego last year.


“We’ve been able to choose our strongest possible team, which is of course spearheaded by Andy Murray who is significantly ahead of where he was 12 months ago,” said GB captain Leon Smith.


“The tie will be a huge deal for him personally as he returns to play in Scotland for the first time since winning Wimbledon in 2013.


“In James Ward we have somebody who has already proven himself against the US Davis Cup team, and I’d back him again to put in another excellent performance after some consistent recent form has seen him on the verge of cracking the top 100 for the first time.


“I’ve selected our top two doubles players in Jamie and Dom, and again they’ve shown real consistency this year to earn their place in the team.”


by ScoresPro.com



GB Davis Cup: Andy & Jamie Murray named in team to face US

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