Murray to give cup-tie a miss

ANDY MURRAY will skip this month’s Davis Cup tie in Glasgow to concentrate on his rehabilitation.

And British No 1 Kyle Edmund will also sit out the World Group play-off against Uzbekistan as he aims to find full fitness after suffering from a virus.

Murray was knocked out in the second round of the US Open by Fernando Verdasco in his first Grand Slam action for 14 months.

Team captain Leon Smith – who named Cameron Norrie, Jay Clarke, Dan Evans, Jamie Murray and Dom Inglot in his five-man team – said Murray listened to his medical team when he opted against making himself available for selection.

“I spoke to Andy at length and he was really wanting to play some part of the tie but he will focus on his rehab,” said Smith. “The chance to play in Scotland was a massive pull for him and that’s why he was really considering it, but after what he has gone through it’s absolutely clear he has to listen to the team around him.

“He’s made really good progress from where he has been but he’s just missed so much tennis.”

Edmund confessed to fitness issues after he lost in New York but, despite pulling out of the Davis Cup, he is still scheduled to play in the star-studded Laver Cup team event in Chicago later in the month.

“It’s a little bit further down the line,” said Smith. “Kyle’s got sick a few times, after Wimbledon again. Here you could see his fitness levels aren’t where he wants them to be. He needs to get healthy and stronger to finish the year as best he can.”

Evans is back in the team for the first time since his year-long ban for taking cocaine and Smith said: “History is in the past. He’s playing well. He’s had a really good return to play for me.”