Debutant Billy Harris and Dan Evans ensure Great Britain's quest to reach the Davis Cup knockout stage starts strongly - even in the absence of Jack Draper.
Debutant Billy Harris and veteran Dan Evans ensured Great Britain's quest to reach the Davis Cup knockout stage started strongly - even without the rested Jack Draper.
US Open semi-finalist Draper celebrated the victory from sidelines, having sat out this opening tie following his exploits in New York over the past fortnight. The bedrock of Harris' game is his first serve, which he demonstrated in an impressive opening set where he won 95% of those which he landed. He has dropped to outside the world's 150 in recent months but, in front of a three-quarters full Manchester Arena, demonstrated why he remains so important to Smith's squad.
Booming first serves of above 130mph were backed up by speedy second serves, while he made Evans ask questions from the baseline in patient rallies. But his experience and nous told in the tie-break, playing with a touch more aggression to bring up four set points and pressure Vasa into a double fault on the third.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Davis Cup 2024: Dan Evans puts Great Britain ahead against FinlandDan Evans ensures Great Britain's quest to reach the Davis Cup knockout stage starts strongly with a hard-fought victory in their opening tie against Finland.
Read more »
Jack Draper makes Davis Cup vow ahead of landmark US Open semi-finalThe British No.1 will pivot his attention to matters closer to home as he flies the British flag in the Davis Cup – widely regarded as the World Cup of tennis – at the AO Arena
Read more »
Davis Cup: Jack Draper 'working hard to get fit' after US OpenUS Open semi-finalist Jack Draper leads Great Britain's squad which is bidding to reach the Davis Cup finals.
Read more »
Davis Cup: Jack Draper 'working hard to get fit' after US OpenUS Open semi-finalist Jack Draper leads Great Britain's squad which is bidding to reach the Davis Cup finals.
Read more »
Jack Draper: Great Britain yet to make decision over his 2024 Davis Cup involvementCaptain Leon Smith says he is yet to make a decision whether US Open semi-finalist Jack Draper will play in Britain's Davis Cup tie against Finland.
Read more »
Great Britain to assess Jack Draper for Davis Cup opener after US Open exertionsLeon Smith has not ruled out Jack Draper making a swift return to action in Great Britain's Davis Cup opener against Finland on Wednesday.
Read more »