Great Britain’s Davis Cup team will aim to get themselves back among the world’s elite when they take on Croatia in their play-off match in Umag this weekend.
Led by captain Leon Smith, the team will be made up of 2013 Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, who claimed a gold and silver medal at last summer’s 2012 Olympics, as well as Dan Evans, James Ward and Colin Fleming.
Vying to get back in the World Group zone for the first time in five years, the Great Britain team have met the Croats just once before back in 2007, where they emerged victorious 4-1.
Despite British number one Murray exiting the recent US Open at the quarter-final stage, Evans showed his mettle by progressing through to the third round.
And Fleming, who himself competed in the first round of the doubles at London 2012, believes the team is in good shape ahead of start of the tie on Friday.
“It’s massive, a huge tie,” said Fleming. “It’s been a great journey to get back to the edge of qualification and hopefully we can crack it and break through. It will be my first Davis Cup tie on clay, so it will be tough, but we’re ready.”
“Dan played superbly in New York. I watched a few of his games and went out with him for dinner a couple of times and he was in a great place mentally as well as on top of his game.
“His form will give Andy confidence that he has a top quality singles player to back him up.”
© Sportsbeat 2013