Murray Took A Fed Cup Gamble And Lost

Written by: Staff on 22nd April 2013

Murray Took A Fed Cup Gamble And Lost

epa01782037 Andy Murray's mother Judy Murray reacts during the semi final match Andy Roddick of the US versus Andy Murray of Britain for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 03 July 2009. EPA/GERRY PENNY |

The Murray family have enjoyed better weeks in tennis. Son Andy lost his world no.2 ranking after an early defeat in the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters and mother Judy admitted the biggest gamble she had taken since becoming Britain’s Fed Cup captain backfired.

Murray’s decision to play veteran Elena Baltacha in the crucial fourth rubber of Britain’s Fed Cup World Group II play-off the saw Great Britain stumble to shattering defeat against Argentina and hopes of promotion crumble into the red clay of Buenos Aires.

Baltacha, aged 29 and once ranked inside the world’s top 50 but now outside the leading 200, had played just one match – and lost it – since last August’s Olympic Games. After undergoing ankle surgery and seriously contemplating retirement from the WTA scene, her match fitness was always going to be an issue.

Nevertheless, captain Murray thought Baltacha better suited to performing in front of the notoriously hostile Argentine crowd than debutante Johanna Konta who meekly lost her initial singles rubber on Friday. However Baltacha’s stamina was not up to the task and she lost out 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 to 197th ranked Maria Irigoyen.

“It was a bit of a risk because Elena had not played much, but she was playing so well in practice and she is such a warrior,” acknowledged Murray who had repeatedly appealed to the tie referee after Argentine fans broached the Fed Cup rules by screaming in between the British players’ first and second serves.

“I thought if the crowd were loud in our faces, which they were, then she would be able to deal with it. I don’t think it bothered her as much as it did Laura Robson. They created a great atmosphere but it was not something we are used to.”

Robson, this week ranked world no.38, had been comprehensively beaten 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 by Paula Ormaechea, a player ranked more than 100 places below the British no.1, and the absence of mononucleosis- suffering Heather Watson was felt acutely by the British team.

Murray continued: “We are absolutely gutted because we thought we could win and it was a great opportunity. I’m proud of the way Elena fought and I thought she was quite close to pulling it off.

“The crowd created a great atmosphere even if it was loud at times, I think we will be better for the experience.”

Baltacha now determined to fight her way back up the rankings in the coming months and said: “I gave it everything and I’m obviously really disappointed. Irigoyen didn’t give me any pace and it was very hard work to keep dictating every single point.

“I thought I was on my way when I broke to start the third but it wasn’t meant to be.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Andy Murray, Britain’s Fed Cup, Elena Baltacha, Heather Watson, Johanna Konta, Judy Murray, Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, Tennis News