Andy Murray gave Great Britain the lead in their Davis Cup play-off in
Croatia but the hosts levelled the tie at the end of the first day of
action in Umag.Murray had to work hard early on before beating Borna Coric, the
16-year-old US Open junior champion, 6-3 6-0 6-3.
British number two Dan Evans, ranked 149, lost 6-3 6-2 6-3 to world
number 35 Ivan Dodig in the second match of the World Group play-off.
The doubles takes place on Saturday before the reverse singles on Sunday.
Coric, making his Davis Cup debut, gave Murray a tough test in the
first set, the second game containing a 57-shot rally.
But the Wimbledon champion broke Coric in the eighth game and went on
to win the next seven games, taking the second set 6-0.
The Croat broke the Scot in the third, but Murray fought back to seal victory.
“I thought the first five or six games were tough,” said Murray, the
2012 US Open champion.
“I wanted to make the points long and challenging for him, physically.
Maybe I was trying to play with too much spin.
“Once I got the break, I won a few games in a row. I lost my
concentration a bit at start of the third but saw it through. It was
OK – it could be better.”
Murray, who withdrew from the French Open this year with a back
injury, appeared to be suffering a similar problem in the third set.
“My back is a little bit sore. The change of surface is difficult, but
after a couple more matches I’ll have some time to rest, so let’s just
get the win this weekend.”
Evans, who broke into the world’s top 150 for the first time after
reaching the US Open third round, was outclassed by an opponent who
adapted far better to the demands of clay.
Dodig, who served 10 aces to his opponent’s two, broke in the seventh
game to take the first set and cruised through the second with a
double break.
Trailing 5-2 in the third, Evans saved two match points on his own
serve to force Dodig to hold, which he did with some ease to level the
tie.
“I didn’t play badly but he didn’t give me anything,” said Evans. “It
was no secret it was going to be hard and I’m glad to have three sets
on that court. That will definitely help me on Sunday.”
Murray is set to return on Saturday to partner Colin Fleming in the
doubles, although Jonny Marray could be drafted in to replace either
player.
The 26-year-old missed the last Davis Cup tie in April, when Evans,
James Ward, Fleming and Marray secured a shock win over Russia.
The winning nation will qualify for the elite World Group. The last
time Britain took part at that level was 2008.
GB captain Leon Smith said: “Not a surprise after day one – it is
where we expected and both favourites won.
“Whoever we put out to play [in the doubles] tomorrow, I’m confident
we will do well and as I said before, it will be the key rubber.” –
BBC Sport
