GB secure victory over the Slovak Republic

The AEGON GB Davis Cup Team win 3-2 against the Slovak Republic.

With Andy Murray unavailable, it was always going to be a challenge for the British team going into the three-day tie at the Braehead Arena near Glasgow. The team featured James Ward, Dan Evans and top-50 doubles pairing Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins.

On Friday, Dan Evans started for Great Britain. He beat Slovakian No. 1 Lukas Lacko in straight sets (6-3, 7-5, 7-5), giving the British team a 1-0 advantage. This was an outstanding performance by Evans as Lacko is ranked over 200 places higher. James Ward was next on court against Martin Klizan, and the tie was levelled after the Slovak No. 2 defeated the Briton 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(4).

Saturday’s match saw Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins defeat Filip Polasek and Michal Mertinak 6-3, 7-6(4), 0-6, 6-3 in two hours and 45 minutes to give GB a 2-1 lead.

James Ward opened the final day of the tie, losing 6-7, 1-6, 3-6 to Lucas Lacko, leaving the tie delicately balanced at 2-2. Dan Evans then sealed the win with a 3-2 victory over Martin Klizan 6-1, 6-1, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3.

Captain of the AEGON GB Davis Cup Team, Leon Smith, paid tribute to Dan, saying: ‘I am so, so proud of him. The men’s rankings are not where we want them to be – for someone like Dan, he was way better than his ranking shows today.’

As team sponsor, we’d like to congratulate everyone involved.

The next tie for the AEGON GB Davis Cup Team will be at the Braehead Arena, from 6 to 8 April 2012. The winner of the GB versus Belgium tie will advance to the World Group Play-offs, which will take place in September.

This follows the recent success of the AEGON GB Fed Cup Team who recently secured a World Group II play-off spot in April, having won all of their matches in Euro/Africa Zone Group I in Israel.

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