Andy Murray 'unlikely' to play doubles in Davis Cup tie with USA
- Published
Andy Murray will play in Scotland for the first time in four years
Davis Cup: Great Britain v United States | |
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Venue: Emirates Arena, Glasgow Dates: 6-8 March Coverage: Live on BBC TV, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Red Button, the BBC Sport website, mobile, the BBC Sport app and Connected TV. |
Andy Murray says it is "unlikely" he will play the doubles in Great Britain's Davis Cup tie against the United States in Glasgow.
Murray opens against Donald Young in Friday's singles at 13:00 GMT, followed by James Ward against John Isner.
Jamie Murray and Dom Inglot have been nominated for Saturday's doubles against the Bryan brothers.
Murray seals historic Davis Cup win
Line-ups can change up to an hour before play but Andy Murray does not expect to be drafted in.
British captain Leon Smith has a tempting option in Inglot, who has beaten the Bryans twice this year with his Romanian partner Florin Mergea.
"I would say it's unlikely that I would play the doubles on Saturday," said Murray. "If it's required then it would be nice to play with Jamie or Dom.
"Whichever team Leon picks will have an opportunity of winning the match provided they play great tennis."
Analysis - BBC Radio 5 live tennis correspondent Russell Fuller |
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"I would be very surprised if Andy Murray doesn't end up on the doubles court on Saturday. Dom Inglot would be unlucky to miss out after recording two wins over the Bryans in two months, but how can there be a better option than unleashing the Murray brothers in front of a home crowd? The length of Friday's opening singles may still have a bearing, and there's never any harm in keeping the opposition guessing." |
The world number one Bryan brothers are well aware of the threat posed by Inglot and appear keener to face the Murrays.
"I'm sure the fans want to see the Murrays versus the Bryans, the marquee match-up," said Mike Bryan.
"Dom Inglot has the hot hand, he's played us well in the last couple of matches, so we're prepared for him. He's the biggest server out there."
Bob Bryan added: "If I was the coach it would be tough to leave a guy with a hot hand off the team, so he's got a tough decision."
Dom Inglot lost to the Bryans when partnering Colin Fleming in last year's Davis Cup tie against the US
Britain will hope to take the pressure off the doubles team by repeating their performance of last year in San Diego, when they took a surprise 2-0 lead over the US on day one, before eventually winning 3-1.
A capacity crowd of 7,700 is expected at the Emirates Arena as Smith's squad attempt to reach the World Group quarter-finals for the second year running.
It will also be a first chance in four years for the Scottish fans to see Andy Murray in action.
"At the beginning when you come out, with the national anthem, the crowd getting right into it at the beginning - yes, it's an emotional experience," said Murray.
"Sometimes at the beginning of the matches you can be a bit fired up, but that tends to subside after the first 15 or 20 minutes."
BBC coverage
Thursday, 5 March: 5 live tennis, Britain v USA preview, 21:00-22:00 BBC Radio 5 live
Friday, 6 March: Britain v USA, 13:00-16:30 BBC Two; 14:30-21:00 BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
Saturday, 7 March: Britain v USA, 13:00-16:30 BBC One; 13:00-16:55, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
Sunday, 8 March: Britain v USA, 13:00-15:50 BBC One; 13:00-20:00, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
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