MURRAY BROTHERS WIN DAVIS CUP DUBS FOR GREAT BRITAIN

Written by: Staff on 19th September 2015

MURRAY BROTHERS WIN DAVIS CUP DUBS FOR GREAT BRITAIN

epa04938965 Britain's Jamie Murray (R) and Andy Murray (L) celebrate after winning their doubles match of the Davis Cup semi final tie between Britain and Australia in Glasgow, Britain, 19 September 2015. EPA/ROBERT PERRY |

BREATHTAKING DOUBLES – THE BEST DAVIS CUP HAD TO OFFER IN GLASGOW BY ROS SATAR

Well the news is… we still have unconscionably unseasonal weather in Glasgow… and the real ‘news’ was that Leon Smith has opted to put the Brothers Murray in the doubles. Which was a surprise to… no-one.

As the great and the good from the LTA suites made their way out to their seats serenaded by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers (that is NOT a typo), clutching their plastic beakers of Prosecco to their hearts as through their pearls depended on it, the atmosphere was even up a notch from the rousing reception of Friday’s openers.

There is always more of a party mood on a Saturday, and the site of the support teams walking out alone got a deafening roar. Add the rousing strains of Loch Lomond to the mix during the mix and it is impossible to guess how the Murray’s must have been feeling.

Actually perhaps not – after a couple of sharp exchanges at the net, perhaps the nerves hit as Jamie Murray smacked in a double fault, but they weathered the initial Aussie challenge. Pressure was not far behind though as the Aussies were rewarded for their tenaciousness – after some dazzling work at the night, a botched overhead from Jamie put the visitors a break ahead.

It was important for the hosts not to let the Aussies get ahead after a solid consolidation. A little redemption was due as Jamie Murray managed to put together some more solid serving and deft touches at the net to keep the Brits in contention. The Aussies did well to get over Groth’s serving jitters with, it has to be said, some nifty footwork any time he misjudged his ball-toss. The Brits could not make good on three break point chances which would have guaranteed us a rendition of the Proclaimers at the very least. Instead the Aussies nabbed the first set and we endured T-Rex and Ride a White Swan!

The brothers certainly started with a little more intent at the start of the second intent – and in a set where neither pairing gave an inch (that’s imperial measurements to you at the back), the boys finally consolidated on their only break point chance. It was another confidence boosting hold and subsequent serve out to split sets.

Britain’s Andy Murray (L) and Jamie Murray (R) in action during their doubles match of the Davis Cup semi final tie between Britain and Australia in Glasgow, Britain, 19 September 2015. EPA/ROBERT PERRY

Continuing in a fine British tradition of making things awfully hard on ourselves, it was a tired game from Andy Murray to hand the visitors an early advantage in the third set. As they put pressure on the Aussies the crowd were treated to some breath-taking action at the net – truly magnificent as they peppered the gigantic Groth in search of a lesser spotted break point opportunity. Perhaps at this point The Loch Ness Monster may have been a better bet.

Concern was also beginning to swell over Andy Murray’s fitness – at times walking about with a stiff-legged gait and doubling over to stretch, it was really rather in the hosts best interests to sort this out quickly, but the Aussies were back on song, yes even the Fanatics were giving the Stirling University Barmy Army a run for their money. A break after some quite frankly botched overheads by the Aussies gave the crowd hope (and surprisingly no Proclaimers. Fairground Attraction, and Perfect just in case you are keeping score). Their reward? After a stunning five games on the spin, and the obligatory roar – the Brits were in front 2-1 and a set away from leading the tie.

Want to know why doubles is where it is at, in Davis Cup? This match had it all. Jamie Murray battled to save three set points with once more some pin-sharp action at the net as all British focus was targeted now at Groth who was beginning to feel the pressure, biting back at times and with Jamie prowling the net like a… well… lanky predator with a tennis racquet (!) the Brits broke to leave them one service game away from a round of comebacks that would have left Houdini in knots.

So loud was the roar that guided the British pair out, it may have dazzled the World No. 3 whose loose game gave the Aussies chance as they forced a tie-break! After trading mini-breaks it was Groth who faltered first, then Jamie as the momentum wavered back and forth across the hemispheres, with the Aussies saving match point and taking us into a decider a few points later.

Once more Groth buckled under the sustained barrage from the brothers, and it was the Brits who surged ahead with a 3-0 lead. Another challenging game for the younger Murray with the Aussies picking up the pace put them right back in contention.

Oh it was a nailbiter all the way to the end, with Jamie whipping up the crowd ahead of Groth’s serve, and Andy trying to settle them down. It was enough though, as the Brits were carried through with a road (and The Proclaimers, of course) – 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-7(6) 6-4, just shy of four hours.

“We stuck together… like brothers should” was the succinct summation from Murray junior, in their on-court interview. Captain Leon Smith spoke yesterday about the effect of seeing Andy Murray on a doubles team sheet, but Jamie Murray deserves every bit as much kudos for his part. For the second time in a row, he was solid when the team needed it most.

Tidbits

· Andy Murray will be back in action first thing on the docket on Sunday as he takes on Bernard Tomic – he leads their head to head 2-0

· We may have witnessed Lleyton Hewitt’s last Davis Cup match – he closes out a brilliant career with a 58-20 record for the Green and Gold

· Great Britain will bid for their first Davis Cup final since 1978

Ros Satar is a regular contributor to 10sballs.com and runs Britwatch Sports (@britwatchsports), because we Brits like watching sport. Occasionally we’re good at it.

Topics: Andy Murray, Atp World Tour, Australia, Davis Cup, Doubles tennis, Glasgow, Great Britain, Jamie Murray, Murray Brothers, Ros Satar, Tennis News

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10sBalls_com says:

September 19, 2015 at 11:56 am

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giuliannomolina says:

September 19, 2015 at 12:55 pm

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elitehockey101 says:

September 19, 2015 at 12:58 pm

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talboysjane says:

September 19, 2015 at 2:04 pm

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InfluenzaJack says:

September 19, 2015 at 2:16 pm

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September 19, 2015 at 2:16 pm

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ElenaFoundation says:

September 21, 2015 at 4:00 am

Great article by @10sBalls_com: ‘Murray Brothers Win Davis Cup Dubs for Great Britain’ http://t.co/sulKJWkQov