Who could forget the last year’s triumphant Davis Cup? After the 79 years of thirst, the Brits finally managed to win this competition in 2015 with Andy Murray leading them to this glorious achievement. Now it’s time to prove it was more than just luck–and more than just the Scotsman–as the team is facing Serbia in the quarterfinals of the World Group without their best man.
There‘s a whole lot on Murray‘s hands right now; winning Wimbledon was very physically and mentally demanding, and he has the Olympics, U.S. Open, and other competitions to think of as well. Even though this is the first tie he is missing in three years, the world No. 2 will likely come out to support his teammates, if only from the sidelines. However, his absence does leave a considerable hole–especially in the singles lineup.
According to the TonyBet bookies, the Brits are still going into this stage as the favorites, with their odds at a win being 11/20 vs. the 13/10 of Serbia. As it is rather apparent from these odds, Novak Djokovic is also sitting this one out, which is a big plus for Great Britain’s team. Instead of Murray, we will see Kyle Edmund and James Ward playing singles, and the squad will be also without an injured Dan Evans.
It‘s difficult to say whether the team will be able to carry through, as Murray was responsible for 11 out of the 12 total points it managed across the triumphant run in 2015. Meanwhile, Serbia is a strong team on its own, and it won the Davis Cup in 2010 and finished runner-up in 2013–so this will be a good test for the Brits.
If Britain does manage to advance to the semifinals, it will have been a very strong claim that its team was not, in fact, solely relying on Murray. Will that prove to be true? It’s not like Serbia is an easy opponent, so the visitors will have their work cut out for them; which should make for some excellent tennis.
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Have to like Serbia’s chances, even w/o Joker….England w/o Murray just not much of a bulldog.
Britain goes 0:1 against Serbia thanks to a stunning debut by Kyle Edmund who blew a below-par Tipsarevic off the court in the first rubber.
http://www.daviscup.com/en/news/233357.aspx
should read 1:0 against Serbia.
An emotional Yannick Noah being interviewed after France drew level with CZE – again thanks to a sterling debut performance from Pouille who rescued them from going 0-2 after Tzonga lost the first rubber to Rosol.
http://www.daviscup.tv/video/i/1677907/title/cze-v-fra-captain-yannick-noah-fra-rubber-2-interview
Lots of crummy line calls and umpiring decisions during the Lajovic-Kyle rubber. Edmund had a break point, someone in the crowd called the ball ‘out’ put Edmunds off and the point was awarded to Serbia.
Kyle gets hiw revenge and breaks Lajovic in his next service game. Kyle is playing his tiny little cotton socks off. Total confidence oozing from him.
After losing the first rubber Tsonga redeems himself by beating Vesely to put France into the SFs.
Kyle Edmund is 2:0 up against Lajovic. One more set and the Brits will be through to the SFs.
The match is turning. Kye seems to be suffering from nerves.
Kyle takes the 3rd set TB 75. He’s really come a long way; Britain can now boast of 2 real singles players.
UEs bor both are Lajovic – 71, Kyle 73. Not good!
Nadline: you have to take into account the grim conditions and the state of the court which looked like a ploughed field.
Kyle Edmunds answers the question posed in the headline of this thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Britain through to the SFs. He played like a player in the top 10 against a tough. opponent with the home crowd behind him.
Leon Smith deserves huge credit for building a British team with so much depth to it.