Andy Murray can inspire Great Britain to another Davis Cup triumph, says Mark Petchey
Monday 2 March 2015 12:24, UK
Mark Petchey believes Andy Murray can inspire Great Britain to another Davis Cup triumph against the United States.
Great Britain claimed a 3-1 victory over the USA last year to book their place in the Davis Cup quarter-finals and they will have home advantage for this week’s first-round World Group tie, starting on Friday.
Murray will be joined by older brother Jamie, while James Ward and Dominic Inglot complete captain Leon Smith’s side as they prepare to face the Americans at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
US skipper Jim Courier has selected Donald Young and John Isner, with Bob and Mike Bryan completing the quartet.
Sky Sports expert Petchey was surprised at 25-year-old Young’s inclusion and questioned Britain’s status as underdogs.
Donald Young was picked, an interesting decision from Jim Courier in terms of Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey being out there.
He said: “It’s interesting that the US have been made favourites – they’re maybe the favourites in terms of ranking.
“But if you speak to people within tennis a large part of them will feel that Britain, with Andy playing the way he does during Davis Cups and perhaps banking on a couple of rubbers, are actually favourites in my mind.
“Donald Young was picked, an interesting decision from Jim Courier in terms of Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey being out there.
“It’s all to play for and it will be a very tight tie.”
Back-to-back quarter-final defeats in Rotterdam and Dubai have hindered Murray’s progress since he reached the Australian Open final.
The Scot would have been expected to get past Gilles Simon and Borna Coric, his two conquerors in the last eight, but Petchey believes the world No 5 has no genuine cause for concern.
“I think Andy is playing very well this year,” said Petchey.
“When you look at the route through in Australia, some people say the draw was kind to him. It opened up - it didn’t look kind at the start. But you still have to win those matches and he has done.”
