Davis Cup: Andy Murray backs Leon Smith's decision to select Dan Evans
World No. 3 Andy Murray has supported Great Britain skipper Leon Smith’s decision to select and deploy Dan Evans against Bernard Tomic. Evans, ranked as Britain’s no. 8, will face Australia’s No. 1 on the second singles rubber of the Davis Cup semifinal round in Glasgow.
Evans, who ranked 763rd in the world following a failed attempt to qualify for Wimbledon this summer, was handed a shocking role by Smith as GB attempts to reach the Davis Cup final for the first time in 37 years. Smith admitted it was a difficult decision to drop James Ward and Kyle Edmund to draft Evans, but the Scot believes the 25-year-old could help them win in the singles category against the Aussies.
“He comes in with a lot of confidence, he looks sharp and is very much match-fit,” Smith said, The National reports. “A lot of factors go in, and while it was a tough decision, I think it was the right decision.”
Murray, who will lead the GB team in their semifinal clash against Australia at Emirates Arena, backed Smith’s decision to pick Evans and said he believes the 25-year-old British has what it takes to replicate his 2013 U.S. Open upset against Tomic.
“He has played against Tomic on the tour and has a way of playing which will be tricky for Bernard,” Murray said, the Mirror reports. “I trust Leon’s decision, there’s never any guarantee and I hope it pays off this weekend.”
Evans has won 29 of his last 33 tennis matches, although he has not played a top-100 player for 15 months. However, Evans insisted he is ready for the challenge of facing Tomic once again and helping GB reach the final round of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Murray has guaranteed he will give £50 (AU$108.31) to UNICEF if he hits an ace for the rest of the season in a bid to help the refugee crisis. According to BBC, Murray said that he felt he “had to do something to help” the people travelling to claim asylum in Europe. Murray’s sponsor Standard Life, Lawn Tennis Association and ATP will each match his donation.
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