Doubles pairing Colin Fleming and Ken Skupski secured Great Britain victory over Turkey in the Davis Cup after defeating Ergun Zorlu and Haluk Akkuyon 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
The result finally ends Britain’s woeful run of five defeats on the trot, which left them within one bad result from falling into the lowest group in the competition.
Fleming and Skupski were handed the opportunity to seal the tie after the hard work was done by both singles players, Jamie Baker and James Ward yesterday.
They were also given another boost when the news came in that Marsel Ilhan, Turkey’s top ranked player, had pulled out, which perhaps signalled the oppositions lack of belief that they could somehow comeback from 2-0 down.
The contrast in confidence was clear to see in the first set as Skupski and Fleming looked in great shape in all areas.
The Turkish pair did manage to hold out until the sixth game where Skupski, who was hit hard by the ball earlier in the set, produced some fine tennis from the back of the court to break. The Liverpudlian then went on to serve it out and to take the set 6-3.
The momentum looked to be firmly in the way of the Brits as they broke straight away in the second. What should have then followed should have been a straight forward set for Britain but the Turks had other ideas, immediately breaking back and with that they began to find their own rhythm.
Suddenly, the British pair were under pressure as they struggled to get a sniff on the Turkish service. Despite this struggle Britain finally found a way and decisively broke at 4-4, which again left Skupski to serve out, this time to love.
The ability to step up to another level at the crunch time was again clear to see in the third set as Fleming and Skupski crucially broke once again in the ninth game, which this time handed Fleming the duties to serve out the match and the tie. (Click here to watch the duo's significant match winning point)
Whether the victory brought about jubilation or purely relief, the win should now give Britain something to build on towards the upcoming fixture, which will happen in March next year.
“Winning an individual match doesn’t compare to an overall team win, so it was great to have won for the team. We’re already looking forward to the next tie, said Fleming.
“Winning creates enjoyment and a desire to get into the team and it also breeds confidence. This win will hopefully give the guys confidence going into the next draw.”
With the tie rapped up Britain can now go out and enjoy tomorrow, with both Baker and Ward playing their reverse singles matches. They do have something to play for though because if they both win they will help secure the nation’s first 5-0 whitewash since Portugal in 2001, now what a debut that would be for new captain Leon Smith.
The result finally ends Britain’s woeful run of five defeats on the trot, which left them within one bad result from falling into the lowest group in the competition.
Fleming and Skupski were handed the opportunity to seal the tie after the hard work was done by both singles players, Jamie Baker and James Ward yesterday.
They were also given another boost when the news came in that Marsel Ilhan, Turkey’s top ranked player, had pulled out, which perhaps signalled the oppositions lack of belief that they could somehow comeback from 2-0 down.
The contrast in confidence was clear to see in the first set as Skupski and Fleming looked in great shape in all areas.
The Turkish pair did manage to hold out until the sixth game where Skupski, who was hit hard by the ball earlier in the set, produced some fine tennis from the back of the court to break. The Liverpudlian then went on to serve it out and to take the set 6-3.
The momentum looked to be firmly in the way of the Brits as they broke straight away in the second. What should have then followed should have been a straight forward set for Britain but the Turks had other ideas, immediately breaking back and with that they began to find their own rhythm.
Suddenly, the British pair were under pressure as they struggled to get a sniff on the Turkish service. Despite this struggle Britain finally found a way and decisively broke at 4-4, which again left Skupski to serve out, this time to love.
The ability to step up to another level at the crunch time was again clear to see in the third set as Fleming and Skupski crucially broke once again in the ninth game, which this time handed Fleming the duties to serve out the match and the tie. (Click here to watch the duo's significant match winning point)
Whether the victory brought about jubilation or purely relief, the win should now give Britain something to build on towards the upcoming fixture, which will happen in March next year.
“Winning an individual match doesn’t compare to an overall team win, so it was great to have won for the team. We’re already looking forward to the next tie, said Fleming.
“Winning creates enjoyment and a desire to get into the team and it also breeds confidence. This win will hopefully give the guys confidence going into the next draw.”
With the tie rapped up Britain can now go out and enjoy tomorrow, with both Baker and Ward playing their reverse singles matches. They do have something to play for though because if they both win they will help secure the nation’s first 5-0 whitewash since Portugal in 2001, now what a debut that would be for new captain Leon Smith.
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