WHEN THE UNITED STATES PLAYS DAVIS CUP AGAINST GREAT BRITAIN , WILL IT BE THE BRYAN BROS PLAYING THE MURRAY BROTHERS ?

Written by: Staff on 15th January 2015

WHEN THE UNITED STATES PLAYS DAVIS CUP AGAINST GREAT BRITAIN , WILL IT BE THE BRYAN BROS PLAYING THE MURRAY BROTHERS ?

epa04492436 Doubles partners Mike Bryan and Bob (L) Bob Bryan from the USA lift the ATP Tour Finals doubles winners trophy after beating Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo in the doubles final of ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 16 November 2014. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

The upcoming Davis Cup tie between Britain and the United States in Glasgow could see a unique doubles confrontation with the Murray brothers taking on the Bryan twins on day two of competition.

As always the Bryans will be an automatic part of American captain Jim Courier’s selection for the rubber between the two founding nations of this historic competition. But Jamie Murray, winner of last weekend’s Brisbane International event alongside Australian John Pears, is likely to come in from longstanding Davis Cup exile to partner his younger brother Andy.

Jamie has been a British outcast since former captain John Lloyd dropped him from the team nearly four years ago. Lloyd’s successor Leon Smith is a long-standing friend and confidante of the Murray family and with regular doubles player Colin Fleming taking paternity leave from the ATP World Tour, partnering the two Murrays seems to be the most sensible option.

Speaking in Melbourne, Smith alluded to Jamie’s good record against the Bryans over the years. “It’s very difficult for anyone to play three matches in three days at this level, but without disrespecting anyone the strongest doubles team is Andy and somebody else,’ said Smith.

Andy Murray of Great Britain (R) his brother, Jamie Murray (L) chat between points during their doubles match against Xavier Malisse of Belgium and Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, USA 16 March 2011. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO

“I’ve got some very good options but I’d say Jamie has been the strongest player over the last six months, and he has done well in recent matches against the Bryans with two wins with John Peers in their last four meetings.”

Smith’s other options are former Wimbledon champion Jonny Marray who has dropped down the rankings after failing to find a regular partner and Dom Inglot, who played alongside Fleming in last year’s Davis Cup win over the USA in San Diego. However Inglot split with Treat Huey late last year and is also struggling with his game.

If Andy Murray is chosen as both a singles and doubles player, Smith is likely to choose James Ward and either Kyle Edmund and Liam Broady who are both within one win of making it into the Australian Open’s main singles draw.

Content via Bob Larson Tennis News service. Copyrighted material.

Topics: Andy Murray, Atp, Bryan Brothers, Davis Cup, Jamie Murray, Tennis