Murray fans see Jamie sign off in Glasgow with victory
If this is to be the last time we see a Murray in Davis Cup action in Glasgow, then at least the first family of British tennis bowed out in style.
Over the past few years, the Emirates Arena has become the spiritual home of Britain’s Davis Cup team – and pivotal to their success has been the Glasgow-born Murray brothers.
But the controversial Davis Cup revamp means a drastic reduction of home-and-away ties, so this weekend’s match against Uzbekistan could be Britain’s last on home soil for a number of years. With Andy busy rehabbing in Philadelphia, it was left to his brother Jamie to provide Glasgow with what may have been a valedictory performance yesterday.
Teaming up with Dom Inglot, the older Murray helped Britain to a 4-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory over Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin and Sanjar Fayziev. The result puts Britain 2-1 up in a tie they need to win to be seeded for next year’s preliminary competition.
For the first couple of hours yesterday it looked as though Murray would sign off on a bum note. The British pair were a point away from a two-set deficit, but then Inglot produced the type of clutch serve that has earned him the nickname “Dom the bomb”.
Liberated, the British pair pinched the second-set tie-break and motored towards the finish line. Uzbekistan’s resistance was broken.
It was tempting to wonder what Andy made of it all. Presumably watching in Philadelphia, he must have wished he too could have shared a goodbye moment with some of his most adoring fans.
Prior to the match he appeared on the big screen to offer a message of good luck: “This might be the last time we get to play in Glasgow, I hope you all make the most of it.”
Jamie pointed out that they could yet return, and added: “So what we’ve learnt is don’t listen to Andy.”
Expanding on what playing at the Emirates Arena has meant to him, Jamie said: “I’ve had some amazing ties here. The whole team loves coming back for the incredible support. A huge thank you to you guys. We hope we get the chance to come back.”
Murray and Inglot’s success means Britain will win the tie if they get a victory in either of today’s singles rubbers. It will be Cameron Norrie up first against Istomin, followed by Dan Evans against Jurabek Karimov.