During the November 27-29 tie, Belgium will bid for their first career Davis Cup title. The Scot, who won three rubbers as Britain overcame Australia to reach their first final since 1978, has highlighted the fitness troubles which beset Roger Federer last season.
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Bar a very minor blip towards the end of the first set, Murray was in sensational form, and he powered through the final two sets to complete a 7-5 6-3 6-2 win over the world No 23.
Winning the ATP’s showpiece would normally be a priority for Murray, especially as he is yet to do it, but his priorities will now be on helping Britain win the Davis Cup for the first time since 1936.
“It has been a very tough weekend for me physically; and mentally it’s so draining as well”.
“I’m planning on playing Shanghai”. “That was the thing I was most concerned about”, he said. “I didn’t feel great the whole weekend to be honest”, Murray said. Not forgetting the other member of the team in action against the Aussies, Dan Evans of course, who battled valiantly despite losing both of his singles ties.
So the Davis Cup fairy tale continues for Leon Smith, the team cap-tain whose first match in charge – against Turkey five years ago – was played on pain of possible demotion into the fourth tier of the competition, alongside the likes of Armenia and Andorra. An early break to love in the third set confirmed that Tomic, whose spirit had long since been crushed, didn’t have a comeback in him.
Andy was clearly seeking a quick victory against Tomic in his second singles rubber, after his exertions the day before.
Federer was unable to play the final past year with a bad back, and although Switzerland won the Davis Cup the following week, the 17-time Grand Slam champion lost his opening match to France’s Gael Monfils in straight sets. We laid it on the line again so I’ve no regrets, but at the same time I’m disappointed as we were so close to having the opportunity to play in another Davis Cup final.
Murray dominated most of the first set as he led Tomic 5-3 hitting aces and playing defensive shots, forcing Tomic to draw an error. It’s incredible he was able to go out and play all three days, it really is.
Italy also preserved their World Group status when world number 28 Fabio Fognini defeated Teymuraz Gabashvili 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) to secure victory against Russian Federation in Irkutsk. As a boxing fan Andy Murray will know all about “the Rumble in the Jungle”. Standard Life, one of Murray’s partners, the ATP World Tour and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) have all announced they will match Murray’s donations, meaning every ace will result in a donation of £200 (USD $226) to children affected by conflict and disaster, such as those caught up in the current refugee and migrant crisis.
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“Obviously Lleyton is going to be, I would suggest, the next Davis Cup captain”, Masur said.
