Cameron Norrie held his nerve when it mattered most to see off Sanjar Fayziev of Uzbekistan and ensure Great Britain will be seeded for next year’s Davis Cup qualifying round.
Norrie, 23, had his struggles on Friday in the first round of singles matches – surrendering a match point in a five-set defeat to world No.434 Jurabek Karimov.
But on Sunday in Glasgow he had no such struggles against Fayziev who stepped in for Denis Istomin but failed to put up much of a fight for the Uzbeks.
Norrie emerged a 6-2, 6-2, 6-0 winner in under two hours and has given Britain the best opportunity to be involved in the new-look Davis Cup – or World Cup of tennis as it is being known – that will take place at the end of next year.
After Dan Evans’ singles success on Friday and Jamie Murray and Dom Inglot doing the damage in the doubles on Saturday – it was Norrie who secured the 3-1 victory.
“I was pretty nervous coming into the tie today and on Friday but the crowd got me through it. It is always tough playing your first Davis Cup tie,” said Norrie – on his home Davis Cup bow.
“I am extremely proud, and I would like to thank the crowd for what has been an incredible weekend.
“Big thanks for my Dad for staying put in his seat this time, he was pretty nervous the other day.
“Cheers to the Barmy Army, they had great energy, I have fed off them all weekend.
“A big effort from Evo (Dan Evans) on Friday, a perfect home tie for me and I am really proud of the team.”
Sportsbeat 2018