Team GB scored a 4-0 win over Norway to become the first country to progress to the second round of the Davis Cup qualifying competition.
It was a little bit of a monkey wrench on our backs and now we can both break free a little bit and hopefully have many more wins Lloyd Glasspool
After leading 2-0 at Oslo’s Nadderud Arena on Thursday, the Brits secured a 3-0 winning lead by claiming the doubles point in the best of five tie.
Julian Cash and Lloyd Glassspool added the crucial third point but despite being the favourites, the Wimbledon champions were given a tough time by their opponents, Viktor Durasovic and Nicolai Budkov Khaer, before emerging as winners 6-2 2-6 7-6(5).
The difference in rankings and experience was clearly visible in the first set, as the British breezed through in just 30 minutes, but the Norwegians responded well in the second and, to the delight of the home crowd, leveled the match.
With the momentum very much in their favour, and egged on by their supporters, the home pair kept the visitors on their toes in the decisive third tiebreak, where the Brits managed to up their game and take a lead.
Cash beat a service winner 7-5 and then turned to return to the baseline to resume play, only for the referee to declare the match over! A ten-point tiebreak was assumed.
“It means the world,” Glasspool said as he scored his first Davis Cup victory after nearly two hours of play.
“It was a little bit of a monkey wrench on our backs and now we can both break free a little bit and hopefully get a lot more wins.”
Was he surprised by the way the inexperienced Norwegians played? “No, not at all. Davis Cup is very special for that. When people play for their country, especially at home, anything can happen. We were prepared for everything; we never expect a match to be easy and we are happy when we get it over the line.”
Cash added, emphatically acknowledging the traveling fans: “Incredible to play on this pitch, so nice to have this support away from home. It feels like we’re at home, so thanks to them for getting us over the line. It means the world gets our first point and wins the draw for GB.”
Only one of the reverse singles was played, with Jakob Fearnley replacing Jack Draper. The British number 3 faced 19-year-old Budkov Kjaer who had given Cameron Norrie a tough match in the second singles the day before.
And as the rising star of Norwegian tennis, the teenager looked set to win a point for the hosts as he took the opening set, but Fearnley made it a British clean sweep by recovering well to level the match and then claim a hard-fought, decisive tiebreak to secure a 3-6 6-4 10-7 victory.
(Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images for ITF)
Draper’s decision not to play the second singles is in line with his desire to slowly return to the mainstream as he returns from five months off with a seriously bruised bone injury. He has also withdrawn from next week’s Rotterdam tournament.
“As disappointed as I am to be gone, overall I’m going in the right direction,” Draper said as he opted out of the second singles.
Great Britain will compete against Ecuador or Australia later this year for a place in the eight-team final in November.
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