Edmund on standby to save Britain

BRITAIN have turned to Kyle Edmund in the hope that he can help overturn a 2-1 deficit against Spain in the Davis Cup first round today.

The Australian Open semi-finalist will decide whether to take up one of the berths in the reverse singles, as the visitors try to recover from defeat in yesterday’s doubles.

Dom Inglot and Jamie Murray went down 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 to the Spanish duo of Feliciano Lopez and Pablo Carreno Busta at the Puente Romano resort.

If Edmund, who did not deem himself ready on Friday, does play then captain Leon Smith has to decide whether to replace Cameron Norrie in the opening singles or hold Edmund back for a potential decider in place of Liam Broady.

‘I’m not going to throw him in, but if he wants to play, he’ll get a shot,’ said Smith.

‘It’s his decision. At the start of the week it [movement] was quite limited on the court. The last couple of days he has been much freer.’

Inglot’s serve misfired too often in yesterday’s opening two sets, and he produced nine double faults.

The Spaniards always looked in control, with world No10 singles player Carreno Busta predictably impressive with his groundstrokes.

On their least favourite surface Murray and Inglot did not always move in harmony and although the third set was tight, they fell behind early in the tie break, which was conceded 7-4.

Smith said: ‘If you are going to cause an upset on a clay court you need both players playing their best tennis for a long period.’