Andy Murray will take on Juan Martin del Potro in the opening match of the Davis Cup semi-final between Great Britain and Argentina in Glasgow tomorrow (September 16th).
Advertisement
In a rematch of their Olympic final a month ago, Del Potro gained revenge with a 6-4 5-7 6-7 (5/7) 6-3 6-4 victory over Murray that lasted five hours and seven minutes, the longest match of both men’s careers.
Kyle Edmund is scheduled to face Del Potro on Sunday although the Argentine star hinted that he may sit out what could be the decisive rubber as Andy Murray is favourite to defeat Guido Pella in the first reverse singles.
His last task is potentially playing three matches – two singles and a doubles – for Britain in a Davis Cup semifinal against Argentina, starting on Friday, to keep his country on course for a second straight title.
In the other semi-final taking place this weekend, Marin Cilic and Ivan Dodig moved Croatia to the brink of the final as they earned a superb victory over the French pairing of Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert, the world’s top ranked doubles team, at the Kresimir Cosic Hall in Zadar.
“It’s quite emotional. We played a great match”.
The British number one hit 35 aces but was unable to stop the Del Potro siege, eventually succumbing to just his third singles defeat in Davis Cup and his first on home soil.
Britain’s Andy Murray, left, walks on the court as Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro walks off during training session at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow Scotland Thursday Sept.15, 2016.
News of the loss was not broken to Jamie until after he had won the US Open title.
Argentina staved off numerous break points in the third set before claiming a break of their own in the seventh game.
So there was much astonishment when – an hour before the doubles rubbers began – Argentina disclosed they had tinkered with the original nominations they had put forward at Thursday’s draw ceremony, with Del Potro to feature instead of Federico Delbonis. “Being 2-1 down is incredibly tough position to be in, but we are closer than we were in the morning and I still think we can get it back”, said Andy.
Del Potro gained the crucial break in the fifth set at the third opportunity, reaching Murray’s angled volley with a forehand victor down the line to go 4-3 ahead, and he served out for the match, clinching victory with an ace and a big growl. “I found it hard to hit many winners, you know, and a lot of times I felt like I was hitting good shots and he was tracking them down and defending well”.
Andy Murray has clearly played a major role in the team’s recent success, the Scot often contributing three points in a tie.
“I think we did really well”.
“I am so happy to be playing tennis again after three surgeries”, he added.
An elated Del Porto said afterwards: “I won but I still remember the Olympic final”.
Advertisement
The Murray brothers came charging out of the gates sprightly enough and sitting down for the second change of ends they were leading 5-0 and looked invincible.
