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Today was Great Britain's first match in the new format Davis Cup Finals. The format consists of 18 teams split into 6 groups of 3. The six group winners plus the two best runners-up go through to the quarter-finals. Each tie consists of two best of 3 sets singles matches followed by a best of 3 sets doubles match.
GB are in a Group E with Kazakhstan and The Netherlands. Yesterday the Kazakhs defeated the Dutch 2-1.
With a start time of 1100, I took the short Metro ride of 3 stops and the short walk to La Caja Magica (The Magic Box)
MATCH ONE: ANDY MURRAY (125) v TALLON GRIEKSPOOR (179)
The first match was the two number 2 players, Andy Murray for GB and Tallon Griekspoor for the Dutch.
The first set was evenly matched. When serving at 3-3, Andy struggled with his first serve but held. In the next game he held a break point but Griekspoor served well to save the game. In the inevitable tie-break, both parties held their nerve until Griekspoor took the set at 8-6 with a forehand down the line.
Andy started the second set well, taking the first game on his third break point. However, Griekspoor broke back in the sixth game. Andy immediately broke again to restore his advantage. Serving at 30-30 in the next game, Andy found an amazing angle that left Griekspoor floundering - the shot of the match so far. Andy went on to secure the set 6-4 with a love game. After 1 hour and 45 minutes play, it was 1 set all and time for both players to take a comfort break.
In the fourth game of the final set, Griekspoor broke to 15 and then won his service game to love to take a 4-1 lead. In the seventh game, at 0-15 Griekspoor left a ball that dropped in and Andy broke back to love. At 4-5 0-30 Andy won the next four points to level the set. In the next game he held a break point but Griekspoor saved it in style to take a 6-5 lead. In the tie-break, after a punishing rally Griekspoor got the mini break for a 2-0 lead. Andy neutralised the mini break for 4-4 before breaking serve to win the breaker 7-5 and the match.
Result: Andy Murray bt Tallon Griekspoor 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(5)
Duration: 2:51
MATCH TWO: DAN EVANS (42) v ROBIN HAASE (163)
This is between the two number one players for each country.
GB's Dan Evans versus the Dutch Robin Haase who has been as highly ranked as 33 and is coming back from injury.
Dan got off to a great start, earning a break in the second game before taking a 3-0 lead. The rest of the set proceeded without drama as Dan secured it 6-3 in 31 minutes.
In what threatened to be a mirror image of the start of the first set, Dan was three break points down in the second game. He saved all 3 and two more before winning the game. In the 7th game, Dan took advantage of his one break point with a fantastic backhand down the line winner to go 4-3 up. Serving for the match at 5-4, Dan was broken for the first time. Despite Dan having a couple of chances to break back in the next game, Haase hung on to take a 6-5 lead. In the tie-break, Dan gained a mini-break at 3-1 which Haase cancelled out for 3-3 before breaking again for 4-3. Dan broke back again for 5-4 before being immediately broken again for 6-4. Haase served out the tie-break 7-5 to even the match.
Another deciding set, and Dan was immediately broken in the first game. Haase had a couple of chances to make it a double break, but Dan denied him. It was the same story in his next service game as Dan kept just one break behind. At 4-5 Dan fought valiantly to get Haase to deuce, buttoto no avail. It's now down to the doubles.
Result: Robin Haase bt Dan Evans 3-6 7-6(5), 6-4
Duration: 2:18
MATCH THREE: JAMIE MURRAY & NEIL SKUPSKI v WESLEY KOOLHOF & JEAN-JULIAN ROJER
Both teams are pretty evenly matched. Skupski and Hoolhof are making their Davis Cup debut while their respective partners are veterans of the competition.
Halfway through the first set the electronic advertising hoardings starting flashing, so there was a small delay until someone found the off switch. In the 8th game the Brits broke Rojer's serve to love to serve for the set. All too quickly the Brits were 3 break points down but great serving from Jamie pulled it back to deuce. Two more break points needed to be saved then as Jamie was about to serve at deuce, the advertising hoardings suddenly came on again! Hopefully they've now been unplugged! Eventually GB secured the first set.
After both teams had fashioned break points in the first two games, the Dutch broke in the 4th game. At 3-5, with the Dutch serving for the set, GB broke back with a great shot down the line from Neil. In the 11th game we were 0-40 up but couldn't get the break. In the tie-break the Dutch served for the set at 6-5 but the Brits levelled it and then took the match and tie 8-6.
Result: Jamie Murray & Neil Skupski bt Jean-Julian Rojer 6-4, 7-6(6)
Duration: 2:03
Wow, what an epic day! The atmosphere from both sets of fans was great and the tennis electric. It was almost as good as the previous ties in Glasgow.
Today's result means that the winner of tomorrow's tie between Great Britain and Kazakhstan while top the group and go through to the Quarter-Finals. GB all had you matches today while the Kazakh team have had a day off. Would be an interesting tie.
The 9 hour epic that I've just witnessed means that the tie between Belgium and Australia is starting at least two hours late.
The late finish also meant I couldn't be bothered looking for somewhere to eat, so sampled the burger on offer at the Caja Magica. It was OK, but certainly not worth the 15 euros they charged!
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