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Jamie Murray (GBR) and Andy Murray (GBR)
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Andy and Jamie had no issue in winning their fifth match in the competition, not facing a single break point in a 63 62 64 win against Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka and Yasutaka Uchiyama in one hour and 53 minutes.
A hassle-free win was ideal for Andy as the world No. 2 bids to secure victory for Great Britain against Kei Nishikori in the first of Sunday’s reverse singles rubbers. If world No. 6 Nishikori was to inflict Andy’s first ever Davis Cup singles defeat on a hard court, the World Group first-round tie would come down to a decider between Dan Evans and Taro Daniel.
It was no surprise when it was announced that Dominic Inglot had been replaced by Andy in the British doubles nomination. Japan opted, however, to rest Nishikori for the final day, sticking with their original pairing of Nishioka and Uchiyama.
Although an unheralded pair, both had reached finals on the ATP Challenger circuit last week, Nishioka in Cherbourg and Uchiyama in Kyoto. Uchiyama was also considered to be far better and more experienced than his doubles ranking of No. 317 suggested, having won two of the six Davis Cup doubles rubbers he had played previously.
But despite a solid start, holding their first four service games, this was a tough ask against an established British pair who broke for 53 in the first set courtesy of a trademark backhand return winner down the line by Andy. The world No. 2 then served out the set in 34 minutes.
The Murrays kept the momentum going with an immediate break at the start of the second set courtesy of another Andy backhand return winner. Uchiyama gifted the double break for 52 to the Brits as he misfired a smash wide and Jamie served out to seal a two-set lead.
Nishioka and Uchiyama fought to the end but a crucial break for 54 gave Andy the chance to clinch victory on his serve and he did so in style with an ace out wide.
Source: DavisCup.com
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