Murray hails Corrie on day of underdogs
Davis Cup defending champions France on par with Netherlands
Andy Murray hailed unheralded British compatriot Cameron Norrie as “amazing” on Friday as Davis Cup underdogs delivered a series of body blows to the established powers of men’s tennis.
Murray was the architect of Britain’s Davis Cup title triumph in 2015 but injury ruled him out of the trip to Marbella to face Spain, playing in their clay court comfort zone.
But world No. 114 Norrie, making his debut in the competition, stunned Spain’s 23rd-ranked Roberto Bautista Agut 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to pull Britain level at 1-1 in the World Group tie after world No. 21 Albert Ramos-Vinolas had seen off Liam Broady 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6).
“That’s one of the most amazing wins/results/upsets I’ve seen in a long time on a tennis court. Well done to cam norrie and all the team. Broady was excellent,” tweeted Murray, recovering at home from hip surgery.
Defending champions France were also level with the Netherlands in Albertville, but only after a shock in the first rubber when world No. 369 Thiemo de Bakker downed the 25h-ranked Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-3.
In Brisbane, Australia and Germany were also 1-1 but world No. 5 Alexander Zverev survived a huge scare before seeing off the 139th-ranked Alex de Minaur 7-5, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).
Japan, without talisman Kei Nishikori, are 1-1 with Italy in Morioka.