Tennis

Great Britain thrash Germany without Andy Murray to book Davis Cup semi-final place


The former world No.1, who admitted he was still overweight this week, watched from courtside for the second consecutive day.

And Kyle Edmund and Dan Evans stepped up to win both their singles matches to set up a last-four clash with hosts Spain or Argentina on Saturday.

Edmund carried on his superb form against Kazakhstan to thrash German No.2 Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3 7-5 in only 83 minutes.

“Sometimes when you play first match, you are running on adrenaline, pumped to get there,” he said.

“The challenge is to keep that consistent. Today I really did that.”

And then British No.1 Evans, who lost his first two matches, bounced back to beat world No.35 Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6 3-6 7-6.

There was not even the need for a decisive shootout in the doubles.

It was a great way to celebrate the 52nd birthday of the watching Boris Becker – and to prove there is more to British tennis than Andy Murray.

“Everyone does their best but I think for a few years now, there’s been some good depth,” said Edmund.

“Our best year we had in Davis Cup, Andy was very much the driving force and he was involved in the doubles as well.

“But to come here and get through the group stages with Andy (only) having a match – we’ve got good solid players in the top 100 now that are competing on the Tour with all these guys that are here.

“And maybe this is probably the first time Leon has had some maybe real selection thoughts, as in, like, if those other guys were picked, there’d be no reason why they shouldn’t be picked because they are very much justified.

“We haven’t had a lot of that. So that’s a good thing, I guess.”

It is the third time Smith’s team have reached the Davis Cup in the last five years.

Dan Evans, who threw his racket into the air and charged to Smith after winning his first match point, said: “It is great. I lost some tough matches just lately. I felt like I had let the team down the last two days and to come back and win it like this is amazing. I am so happy for them that we are through.

“I served great. I thought I was playing good the last two days but I just couldn’t get over the line. The support has been amazing – everyone in the team kept me positive. It is great to get through for everyone.

Leon Smith said: “I can’t believe it. He had a tough couple of days. I am thrilled for him. He loves playing the Davis Cup. That reaction at the end I will savour for ever. We will enjoy the semi-finals now.”



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