British Tennis Round-up: Davis Cup delight as Great Britain triumph in Glasgow
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Great Britain – Glasgow
It was a weekend to remember at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow as Great Britain’s Davis Cup team defeated Uzbekistan in their World Group play-off.
Dan Evans opened the tie and survived a five-set thriller against world No.60 Denis Istomin to clinch an epic 7-6, 4-6, 0-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory after four hours and 11 minutes.
Cameron Norrie was next up against Jurabek Karimov but despite an impressive start, the British No.2 struggled to maintain momentum and eventually fell 0-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Norrie’s loss meant Great Britain and Uzbekistan were levelled 1-1 going into Saturday’s crucial doubles rubber, which saw Jamie Murray and Dom Inglot take on Istomin and Sanjar Fayziev. After losing the opening set, the British duo dug deep to capture an impressive 4-6, 7-6(8), 6-2, 6-3 win and gave Leon Smith’s squad a 2-1 lead heading into Sunday.
In his second singles rubber of the weekend, Norrie sealed the deal as he sailed past Fayziev 6-2, 6-2, 6-0.
I’m really thankful for to the players, staff and most importantly the fans that came out and supported. It was amazing.
The team’s 3-1 victory means they will be seeded in February’s qualifying round for the new week-long season finale in November, following the announcement of next year’s Davis Cup reform.
The qualifying draw will be made on September 26, although two wildcards will be revealed in advance.
Canada
Heather Watson reached her second WTA singles semi-final of the year as she enjoyed a strong run at the Coupe Banque Nationale in Quebec City. The British No.2 defeated fourth seed Monica Niculescu, Leylah Fernandez and Rebecca Marino en route to her final-four clash against eighth seed Pauline Parmentier, before she fell 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(5).
Great Britain – Nottingham
2018 Wimbledon Boys’ Singles finalist Jack Draper continued his fantastic form by claiming his maiden senior title at an ITF Futures tournament in Nottingham. The 16-year-old battled back from a set down to defeat fellow Brit Andrew Watson 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-0 in the final of the GB Pro-Series Nottingham and as a result, now stands as the only 16-year-old within the world’s Top 1000.
Meanwhile in the doubles, there was more British success as Jonathan Binding and Scott Duncan lifted the title without dropping a single set.
Tunisia
Luke Johnson captured his fifth Futures doubles title as he paired up with Germany’s Christian Seraphim in Monastir. The pair faced Juan Manuel Benitez Chavarriaga and Jorge Blanco Guadalupe in the final and proved resilient to win 4-6, 6-2, [10-8].
Anna Popescu also fared well in the ITF Pro Circuit event and finished a doubles finalist with Nadia Echeverria Alam of Venezuela.
Other Brits in action
Lloyd Glasspool reached the singles final of a Futures tournament in Toronto and Emily Arbuthnott teamed up with Germany’s Katharina Hobgarski to become runners-up of an ITF Pro Circuit event in Santa Margherita di Pula.
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