Great Britain’s hopes of returning to the elite World Group in the Davis Cup are resting on a knife edge following a mixed day by the seaside in Croatia.
World No 3 Andy Murray unsurprisingly overcame 16-year-old Borna Coric in the opening play-off rubber on the clay of the Stadion Stella Maris in Umag, taking two hours in winning 6-3, 6-0, 6-3.
But Dan Evans, despite breaking into the world’s top 150 on the back of his glorious run to the third round of the US Open, was no match for Ivan Dodig, going down in straight sets, 3-6, 2-6, 3-6.
It means Great Britain’s chances of ending their five-year exile from the World Group now rests on the reverse singles, providing Coric is given another opportunity against Evans, and what will now be a crucial doubles encounter today.
Murray, despite feeling his back at times against Coric an issue that has troubled him this year and forced him out of the French Open is to partner Colin Fleming against Dodig and Mate Pavic.
Captain Leon Smith acknowledged Murray’s efforts in turning out for Great Britain as he said: “Andy’s presence is massive for us.
“On the back of him being Wimbledon champion, it’s a huge privilege to have him in the team. I’m delighted he chose to play this one.
“But he clearly enjoys this ambience, this atmosphere, being around the other guys.
“He’s so much fun off the court, but on the court, in the practice sessions, it adds for the other players around to really feed off his professionalism and quality of play.”
It was Murray’s superior physical fitness that wore down Coric, but only after the youngster ranked at 525 and on his Davis Cup debut in the absence of the unavailable Marin Cilic had troubled the Scot with break points in games one and five.
From 3-3, Murray then rattled off 10 games in a row, only to take his eye off the ball at the start of the third, and with his back problem just beginning to make its presence felt.
After conceding his only break of serve in game four, and then being a point away from a 4-1 deficit, Murray ultimately managed to clinch victory with a five-game streak.
It was Murray’s back, however, that provided a key talking point and concern as to whether it will stand up to another two matches on his least favourite surface.
Murray said: “It’s a little bit sore. I’ve a couple of matches left and then some time to rest. Hopefully we can get the win this weekend.”