By Tony Fairbairn
- Great Britain def Norway 4-0
- All five of Leon Smith’s team scored victory in Oslo as Great Britain move into the second round of qualifiers.
OSLO, NORWAY – Leon Smith has admitted that he is ‘delighted’ at Great Britain’s 4-0 win over Norway as they will meet Ecuador in September.
It was a successful weekend for Great Britain as they defeated Norway 4-0 in Oslo to book their place in the second round of qualifiers.
The British team learned from their defeat in Japan last year as they cruised past a Norwegian side that was without Casper Ruud.
In the first rubber Jack Draper made his return to tennis to make his first appearance of the season as he took on Viktor Durasovic.
It was a one sided affair with Draper producing ruthless serving and well constructed points as he demolished Durasovic.
Although, Durasovic had his moments it was the British number one who claimed a 6-2 6-2 victory to give Great Britain the lead.
After the match Draper admitted it was nice to get back on the tennis court after months out of the sport due to injury.
“It’s really good to play here in Oslo and have my first match in a long time,” Draper told the LTA website.
“It’s been a really difficult time since I’ve been away from the sport but I knew I had to keep on practicing my hardest and learning about myself. That’s hard work that no one sees and then when I come back hopefully I’m able to play some top tennis again.”
The second win of the weekend came from Cameron Norrie as the British number two passed a stern test from talented teenager Nikolai Budkov Kjaer.
It wasn’t an easy match for Norrie as Budkov Kjaer came out swinging in the opening stages of the match.
The opening set was a tight one before Norrie found a different gear at 4-4 and won the last two games to take the opening set.
In the second set Budkov Kjaer was undeterred as he took a 4-1 lead, playing aggressive and proactive tennis.
However, Norrie’s experience and maturity paid off as he won the last five games to take the second set 6-4 and gave the British team a 2-0 lead heading into the second day.
On the Friday it was time for the doubles as world number one pairing Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool took on Budkov Kjaer and Durasovic.
After a doubles defeat in Poland last year, the duo was determined to put things right in Oslo and they made a good start in the opening set.
They played aggressive and consistent doubles, exposing the court and taking a comfortable opening set 6-2.
However, any plans of a comfortable day in the office would be short lived as the Norwegian pairing stormed back in the second set.
Budkov Kjaer raised his level on serve and return as the Brits made some crucial mistakes and allowed the singles specialists to build some momentum.
The hosts took the second set 6-2 as this match would be decided by a third set with the momentum with the Norwegians.
In the final set both teams were ruthless on serve as the Brits took a 4-3 lead with barely any points lost on serve.
The world number one’s then had two break points to have the chance to serve for the tie but some crucial misses allowed the Norwegians to hold serve, levelling the deciding set at 4-4.
Neither team was buckling in the pressure moments as a final set tiebreak would decide the outcome of this rubber.
A quick start by the British team would soon be nullified as a dramatic and nervy ending to the tiebreak would be produced.
However, Cash and Glasspool took the tiebreak 7-5 and claimed victory for them and Great Britain as they created an unassailable 3-0 lead in Oslo.
The cherry on top of the cake for the British team was Jacob Fearnley picking up a singles win as he recovered from a set down to defeat Budkov Kjaer 3-6 6-3 10-8.
A crucial win for Fearnley who will be aiming to build on his confidence over the course of the next few months.
Smith ‘delighted’ to get past Norway, Ecuador awaits
It was a big win for Leon Smith’s side as they banished the nightmare of Japan from last year and they now enter the second round of qualifiers.
Although, Britain were heavy favourites the team still had to get the job done as they used their experience to advance.
This is something Smith acknowledged afterwards as they advanced to the second round of qualifiers in September.
“I’m really delighted, very proud of what the players have done,” Smith told the LTA website.
“The beginning of the tie with Casper Ruud not being able to play changes the dynamics, but then our guys have to go and deliver. We knew with Budkov Kjaer and Durasovic that it’s dangerous. It’s Davis Cup and things can happen, we’ve done upsets in the past as well so I know how it feels both ways.
“I think the players did a very good job in delivering the type of tennis they wanted to do. They were brave, they were aggressive and there were some tough moments, especially in the doubles match. We didn’t want to lose that and then suddenly the day starts to change a little bit. I think everyone has done a great job and we’ve really enjoyed it here.
“We’ve loved this week here and look forward to playing the next round, whoever that might be.”
Well, Great Britain will now face Ecuador at home in September for the chance to advance to the final eight at the end of the season.
The Ecuadorians knocked out Australia to set up a monumental showdown with the British team.
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