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Murray to lead GB in Davis Cup first round against Japan

Ros Satar
Ros SatarTennis

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By Ros Satar

  • Team GB named as Andy Murray, Kyle Edmund, Dan Evans, Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot
  • Japan: Kei Nishikori, Taro Daniel, Yoshihito Nishioka, Yasutaka Uchiyama
  • Venue: Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham 4-6 March

LONDON, UK – Andy Murray returns for the first time since the Australian Open final and the birth of his daughter to lead the Aegon GB team in the first round of the Davis Cup, in Birmingham at the beginning of March.

Britwatch Tennis: Full Draws and Schedules

All five players have played pivotal roles in GB’s history-making run to the title, and the top ranking.

Japan fields World No. 6 in their midst as the 2014 US Open finalist Kei Nishikori leads his team, with Nishikori currently in action in Acapulco.

The last time Great Britain faced Japan was in 1931, where they beat the visitors 5-0 on the grass at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne.

The winners will head to either Serbia or Kazakhstan for the quarter-final from 15-17 July.

As reported by the LTA, Leon Smith, Aegon GB Captain said: “I’m delighted to name the five players for this first round match. Japan have a very strong team, progressed well in recent years and with Kei Nishikori have an established top-10 player. It will be a test for us but I’m confident in our team and I’m sure when the guys pull on their GB shirt they will give their all. We are lucky to have another home tie and it’s exciting to be returning to Birmingham. Our fans give us incredible support and we look forward to more of the same!”

Andy Murray – Nominations 19, Debut 2005 v Israel

Murray featured in eight of their nine rubber wins so far and was pivotal to the 2015 campaign.

Smith: “Andy Murray has once again demonstrated his commitment to the team and his country in making himself available to play, especially so soon after becoming a father. His outstanding performance at the Australian Open is further evidence that he is one of the world’s best players.”

 

Kyle Edmund – Nominations 1, Debut 2015 v Belgium

Edmund made his debut in the Davis Cup final last year, pushing Belgian No. 1 David Goffin to five sets, coming close to delivering a huge upset in the first match.

Smith: “Kyle Edmund has made good progress on the tour, has had a confident start to the year and gained vital Davis Cup experience playing in last year’s final. Dan Evans has a wealth of Davis Cup experience and has made great strides in the last six months.”

 

Jamie Murray – Nominations 10, Debut 2007 v Netherlands

Murray along with new partner Bruno Soares won his first men’s doubles Slam title at the Australian Open, and reached a career high ranking of World No. 2 in the process.

Smith: “Jamie Murray is arguably the most in form doubles player in world tennis, currently at a career high ranking of No.2 and continues to show signs of improvement. He made vital contributions to our 2015 Davis Cup campaign and is playing the best tennis of his life right now.”

 

Dominic Inglot – Nominations 4, Debut 2014 v USA

Smith: “Further bolstering our doubles options will be Dom Inglot who showed us what he can do in taking the best doubles team of all time to the wire last year in Glasgow. He is an established world-class doubles player who continues to play an important part of our team.”

 

Dan Evans – Nominations 8, Debut 2009 v Poland

Evans has been a stalwart of the team since the early days down in the lower tiers, and was part of a memorable comeback against the Russians from 2-0 down. He returns to the squad, with no place for James Ward, another stalwart who has struggled this year with injuries.

 

 

 

The Davis Cup First Round tie between Great Britain and Japan will take place between 4-6 March, at the Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham.

 

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