SCOTLAND STAYS IN UNITED KINGDOM, ANDY MURRAY LIKELY TO HELP HOST DAVIS CUP TIE

Written by: Staff on 19th September 2014

SCOTLAND STAYS IN UNITED KINGDOM, ANDY MURRAY LIKELY TO HELP HOST DAVIS CUP TIE

epa04373327 Andy Murray of Great Britain serves to Matthias Bachinger of Germany on the fourth day of the 2014 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 28 August 2014. The US Open runs through 08 September, a 15-day schedule. EPA/JASON SZENES |

The vote is in. It was too close to call. How difficult to be a celebrity with such a huge issue being disputed. Please understand the Murray Clan if you were in their position. Truly fits the expression of being between a rock and a hard place …

Scotland is likely to be the venue for next Marchs Davis Cup clash between Great Britain and the United States after yesterdays World Group draw paired the two founding nations of the competition together again for the second time in as many years.

After travelling to San Diego’s Petco Park in February but coming away with a surprise 3-1 win, captain Leon Smiths side will have home advantage for the tie.

Previously Scottish-staged ties have been contested at the Braehead Arena. However Glasgow is rich with newly built indoor arenas following this years Commonwealth Games and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, built on the north bank of the River Clyde or the Emirates Arena one of the largest indoor facilities of its kind in Europe, are the two favorites to stage the tie.

The English options as a venue are in Birmingham and Manchester, neither of which are perceived as hotbeds of support for tennis. In addition Britain’s leading player Andy Murray has admitted he always feels more motivated when playing in his home country of Scotland.

British captain Smith looked forward to another quick meeting with Jim Couriers team that will presumably feature John Isner as the main singles player and the Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, in the doubles. It will be a tough ask, but it was always going to be that way in the World Group and well be looking to gain full advantage in front of our home support, said Smith.

There are some great memories throughout the years of Great Britain versus the United States, and no doubt both teams will be looking to progress. This is obviously a big tie against very tough opposition who we know very well having played them earlier this year.

That win was a fantastic upset, and well be looking to try and increase our odds once again and get another win this time on home soil. However, we are very aware that they have a very good singles player in John Isner and the worlds leading doubles pair, and that will make them a formidable team.

The two nations memorably last met in Britain on the weekend of April 2 thru 4, 1999 at Birminghams National Indoor Arena. In one of the most thrilling ties the US team, captained by Tom Gullikson, secured victory late on the Sunday night when current day captain Courier beat Greg Rusedski 6-4,6-7, 6-3,1-6,8-6.

On day one, the United States had taken a 2-0 lead through singles wins from Courier and Todd Martin but Britain fought back with Tim Henman and Rusedski beating the duo of Martin and Alex OBrien over five sets. Then Henman leveled the tie at the beginning of the final day by beating Martin 4-6,7-5,6-3,7-6.

Topics: Andy Murray, Bryan Brothers, Davis Cup, Greg Rusedski, Jim Courier, John Isner, Scotland, Tennis, Tennis News, Tim Henman, United Kingdom

Follow 10SBALLS.COM on:

Facebook:

Twitter:

10sBalls_com says:

September 19, 2014 at 9:02 am

#SCOTLAND STAYS IN #UnitedKingdom, @andy_murray LIKELY TO HELP HOST @DavisCup TIE- http://t.co/QIc4qtRWDh #tennis #ScotlandIndependence