Both players went into the clash on four-match losing streaks but it was clear from the start that Lajovic was the more natural clay-court competitor.
Advertisement
The 21-year-old came through a rain-interrupted contest with a 6-3 6-4 6-0 win over the former world number eight to give Great Britain a 1-0 lead in the last-eight tie in Belgrade.
The doubles pairing – who will both head to Rio next month after Inglot was added to Team GB’s tennis squad on Friday – beat Filip Krajinovic and Nenad Zimonjic 6-1 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 6-4.
But the Britons saved it, then the Serbs saved one match point when Krajinovic played a great lob.
But Murray and Inglot were not denied for long, with the second match point seeing the British duo home. I wanted to get the intensity high from the first game back.
“Great Britain can seal their place in the semi-finals if Edmund can defeat Lajovic in Sunday’s opening singles match, while Ward will be looking to bounce back from his disappointing defeat by beating Tipsarevic in the final scheduled match of the tie in Belgrade”.
Ward said, of the prospect of a decisive fifth rubber: “I’ve been there, done it before and would love to again but obviously hopefully the guys get it done before that and that it doesn’t have to come to it but if it does I’ll be ready to go again tomorrow.”
Argentina hold a 1-0 lead over Italy after Federico Delbonis defeated Andreas Seppi 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-3), but the rain in Pesaro meant the rubber between Fabio Fognini and Juan Monaco was postponed until Saturday.
Serbia is also without its top player Novak Djokovic, the No. 1 in the world, and its No. 2, Viktor Troicki.
Murray had no problems in serving out the set to take the first set 6-1 and give Great Britain the early lead in the match.
With Andy Murray taking on a supporting role on the sidelines, Edmund was leading the reigning champions and he didn’t disappoint despite rain stopping play twice.
“We’re up 2-0, we’re in a good spot”, Isner said.
Lajovic, the world number 81, easily brushed aside Ward in just one hour and 52 minutes after breaking his opponent’s serve in the opening game of the match.
Inglot and Murray knew coming into the match how important it was for them to win the match and they started brilliantly winning the first 6-1 and everything looked straightforward.
“A tough start, he didn’t do much wrong, ” Ward said.
“It’s not my ideal surface in slow and heavy conditions”.
There were two lengthy rain delays and plenty more rain during the match, which made the temporary court extremely heavy, but Edmund took control with his big forehand and allowed Tipsarevic only five points in the third set.
Advertisement
Murray was not too anxious by the loss of the second set, saying: “I think we were a bit unfortunate”.
