OH BROTHER. Great Britain’s Davis Cup defence is still going, thanks to the magnificent Murrays.
Andy and Jamie combined to defeat Juan Martin Del Potro and Leonardo Mayer 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 ,6-4 and so put Team GB on the board in the semi-final.
Both Murray junior and Juan Martin Del Potro defied their aching bodies and minds to play doubles after Del Potro had won their five-hour epic the previous day.
But it was Jamie who was the star, his superb volleying and instincts underpinning a crucial win.
Both Brits had tears in their eyes, no doubt with the recent death of their grandfather Gordon in the back of their minds.
Jamie, his voice cracking, said: “It’s better for me to play with him in front of a Scottish crowd. It’s quite emotional.”
Andy said: “It was an amazing atmosphere.
“Yesterday was a very tough day.
“The come out here and get the win with Jamie was great.
“He played extremely well throughout the whole match.”
The brothers raced through the first set in 26 minutes, thanks mainly to the utter brilliance at the net of Jamie.
But Andy, who was once more looking mentally and physically jaded, played a terrible service game early in the second, double faulting twice and missing two shots at the net to gift Argentina the break and a 2-0 lead.
Related Stories
The Brits fought hard to retrieve it but Del Potro served out the set.
Then, in what may yet prove to be a pivotal set in this semi-final, the Murrays came from a break down to take a 2-1 lead.
Again it was on Andy’s serve that they faltered, having twice let two break points go begging earlier in the set.
But suddenly, after a day and half of being tired and flat, the British No 1 found his mojo and his emotion.
He roared with triumph when they immediately broke back for 4-4 and again when his return winner completed a run of three games in a row which sealed the set.
In a tense fourth set, the Murrays were unable to convert the only break point which came in the first nine games.
But some superb play by both brothers, they had three chances to win the match. They needed just one.
Andy will be favourite to win his singles match on Sunday against Guido Pella.
And then it would be down to Kyle Edmund or, more likely, Dan Evans to play Del Potro for a place in the final.
Andy said: “We’re still behind but we are closer than we were at the start of the day.
“I still think we can come back.”
Watch ALL the goals from the Premier League before anyone else for FREE plus all the latest news, fixtures and results and live match commentary all on the go with the new Sun Football App – click here to download
Leave a comment