Great Britain Is Looking For A Second Man For Davis Cup Besides Andy Murray

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 14th January 2014

Great Britain Is Looking For A Second Man For Davis Cup Besides Andy Murray

epa04016008 Andy Murray of Britain hits the ball during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 12 January 2014. The tournament will take place in Melbourne from 13 to 26 January 2014. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON |

The prospect of the upcoming Davis Cup World Group face-off between founding nations Great Britain and the United States at San Diego’s Petco Park baseball stadium is in the minds of many at the Australian Open and Britain’s sole singles survivor Andy Murray believes teenage rookie Kyle Edmund could be the man for the contest.

Britain’s second singles spot is a matter of much conjecture. Dan Evans, the no.2 in terms of rankings and a Davis Cup hero last year at home to Russia does not function well on the sort of clay to be laid at San Diego while James Ward is struggling with results.

Edmund is only the Britain’s eighth best player in terms of ranking but the 19 year-old has played a large percentage of his senior tennis on clay, winning three Futures level titles on the surface.

Murray invited Edmund to take part in his December training camp in Miami and was highly impressed by what he saw. “Now it’s really down to Kyle whether he’s ready or not, whether he’s mature enough, mentally and physically,” said the world no.4. He likes the clay, he’s a very good player on clay.

“ He worked hard in December, he trained well and he’s in good shape, so physically I would say he’d be ready but playing Davis Cup is hard and people find it very difficult, especially at the beginning sometimes, so we’ll have to wait and see.”

British captain Leon Smith, in Melbourne rather than Florida where Edmund is currently playing, is due to name his provisional team next week. However he has until the day before the tie starts on January 31 to select his final line-up.

Topics: 10sballs, Andy Murray, Dan Evans, Davis Cup, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News