Great Britain sealed a 5-0 victory over Turkey following straight set wins by James Ward and Jamie Baker this afternoon.
The whitewash is Britain’s first since Roger Taylor led his side to the same score-line in 2001 against Portugal and was a terrific way to cap off a brilliant weekend for British tennis.
With Britain going into today with an unassailable 3-0 lead it was just left to Ward and Baker to carry on the victory parade.
Baker was first up against Tuna Altuna, who replaced the injured Marsel Ilhan. This news was probably a little disappointing for Baker who would have relished the challenge of playing a player just outside the top 100.
Instead he was faced with Altuna, a man who was actually playing like someone inside the top 100 at the beginning of the opening set, as he battered the ball from the back of the court to take a surprise 3-1 lead and if Baker hadn’t dug deep in the fifth game the set may well have gone the way of the 930th ranked Turk.
This game was the turning point for the Scot, as he began to dictate the points and with that won seven straight games to take control of the match. With Baker returning to the form he showed in his opening match he went on to take no time at all to finish off the tie.
Ward was then handed the task in completing the rout, which he grasped with incredible assurance, taking the first set 6-1 in less than 20 minutes. Ergun Zorlu, who started sluggish against Baker on Friday was the same again but as he did against the Scot improved in the second.
But the British no4 was not going to be troubled and held his nerve to take the match 6-4, albeit via a double fault from his opponent. (Click here to watch the final point of the Davis cup tie)
Captain Leon Smith was delighted to finish in style, saying: “I have really enjoyed this past week. It’s hard work, but very enjoyable. Today was good. It is sometimes difficult for players to come out when we have already won 3-0. But they went out and were very professional and did the business. Winning 5-0 sends out the right message.”
Smith will now look to build on the confidence that has been boosted when they face their next opponents in March next year.
The whitewash is Britain’s first since Roger Taylor led his side to the same score-line in 2001 against Portugal and was a terrific way to cap off a brilliant weekend for British tennis.
With Britain going into today with an unassailable 3-0 lead it was just left to Ward and Baker to carry on the victory parade.
Baker was first up against Tuna Altuna, who replaced the injured Marsel Ilhan. This news was probably a little disappointing for Baker who would have relished the challenge of playing a player just outside the top 100.
Instead he was faced with Altuna, a man who was actually playing like someone inside the top 100 at the beginning of the opening set, as he battered the ball from the back of the court to take a surprise 3-1 lead and if Baker hadn’t dug deep in the fifth game the set may well have gone the way of the 930th ranked Turk.
This game was the turning point for the Scot, as he began to dictate the points and with that won seven straight games to take control of the match. With Baker returning to the form he showed in his opening match he went on to take no time at all to finish off the tie.
Ward was then handed the task in completing the rout, which he grasped with incredible assurance, taking the first set 6-1 in less than 20 minutes. Ergun Zorlu, who started sluggish against Baker on Friday was the same again but as he did against the Scot improved in the second.
But the British no4 was not going to be troubled and held his nerve to take the match 6-4, albeit via a double fault from his opponent. (Click here to watch the final point of the Davis cup tie)
Captain Leon Smith was delighted to finish in style, saying: “I have really enjoyed this past week. It’s hard work, but very enjoyable. Today was good. It is sometimes difficult for players to come out when we have already won 3-0. But they went out and were very professional and did the business. Winning 5-0 sends out the right message.”
Smith will now look to build on the confidence that has been boosted when they face their next opponents in March next year.
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