Andy Murray won't partner brother Jamie in Davis Cup
ANDY MURRAY has put the dampener on hopes of a glamour Davis Cup doubles with brother Jamie against the United States.
The prospect of the Murrays taking on the Bryan twins was set to be the most intriguing prospect of the World Group first-round tie, which starts in Glasgow today.
But Dom Inglot was listed as Jamie Murray’s partner in the draw and the British No1 believes that will be the likely pairing for tomorrow’s action at the Emirates Arena.
With Inglot having beaten Bob and Mike Bryan twice this year with Romanian partner Florin Mergea, the crowd are set to miss out on a family affair.
Andy, who takes on Donald Young in the opening singles, said: “Jamie and I played a bunch when we were younger. We haven’t played so much recently but obviously it’s an advantage we know each other’s game well.
“It’s unlikely I will play the doubles on Saturday but, if it’s required, it would be nice to play with Jamie or Dom.
“They’ve both started the year very well, Dom has had some big wins over the Bryans and Jamie’s consistency over the past seven months has been very good.
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Jamie Murray warned that there is no truth to suggestions that the Bryans are looking vulnerable.
“They didn’t win the Australian Open but they are still ranked No1 in the world by a country mile and they are the best team out there just now,” he said.
“They have not started the year the way they wanted necessarily but everyone has to lose sometimes.”
Mike Bryan feels the fans would love to see a “marquee match-up” against the Murrays but said: “Dom Inglot has the hot hand, he has played us well in the last couple of matches and it would be a tough call to leave him out.”
James Ward, meanwhile, is looking to repeat his heroics in San Diego last year, when his stirring comeback to beat the higher-ranked Sam Querrey helped set up a 3-1 win over the Americans at the same stage.
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Ward, who faces huge-serving, 6ft 10in John Isner in today’s second singles, said: “I don’t know what it is about the Davis Cup that brings out the best in me.
“Some of my best results have come during these times, so hopefully it happens again.”
American captain Jim Courier knows Ward, like others, can lift their game in the Davis Cup.
“Some players rise to the occasion, some shrink, but very few players play normally,” said Courier. “That is what makes it such an intriguing tournament.
“We are well aware James is a streaky player – he has good and bad patches.”
