Davis Cup captain Leon Smith hailed the heroics of “outstanding” James Ward and Dan Evans in Great Britain’s stunning victory over Russia.
Without Andy Murray and against a good Russia side, Britain were huge underdogs at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena even before Evans and Ward both lost five-set matches on Friday.
Coming back from 2-0 down is a rare feat Britain had not done it for 83 years but Colin Fleming and Jonny Marray kept the tie alive with victory in the doubles on Saturday and Ward and Evans overcame huge ranking gaps to complete the job in stunning fashion on Sunday.
Murray has seemed a lone beacon in the men’s game for a long time yet this was a victory both for tennis’ journeymen and for the impressive Smith.
When the Scot took over from John Lloyd in 2010, Britain’s next tie was a relegation play-off against Turkey to avoid going down to Europe/Africa Zone Group III.
They had just lost to Lithuania but they survived and have made big strides since, largely without Murray, who is expected to return to the side for the World Group play-offs in September.
Ward and Evans made up a combined rankings deficit of 392 places, with Ward fighting back from two sets to one down to defeat Dmitry Tursunov 6-4 5-7 5-7 6-4 6-4 before Evans crushed Evgeny Donskoy 6-4 6-4 6-1.
Smith said: “I think it’s outstanding and it’s one of the best things I’ve seen in my time in British tennis.
“What James did was a phenomenal effort. To beat Tursunov in five after what he did on Friday, that’s a hell of an effort to come back from that.
“I think he deserves a lot of praise. We wouldn’t have had that last match if James hadn’t dug out an incredible victory where he went through the pain barrier mentally, physically and emotionally.
“And then of course what Dan’s come out and done. He bossed that match from start to finish.”
Evans was not even in the team originally but Smith had a change of heart on Wednesday and dropped Jamie Baker to bring the 22-year-old in.
Evans’ talent has never been in question but he admitted after losing to Tursunov on Friday that he is languishing at 325 in the rankings because he does not work hard enough and is not prepared to sacrifice his life outside tennis.
Smith went with his “gut feeling” having seen what Evans could do against Slovakia last year, when he upset the odds to win both his singles matches, including a decisive fifth rubber.
Evans said: “I thought we were so unlucky on Friday to come away two five-set matches down. It was almost a bit of a joke. I think we deserved a bit of luck.”