Colin Fleming:
“I was part of the tie when we lost away to Lithuania in Group Two, and that proved to be John Lloyd’s last match as captain.
Then, Leon came in and we played Turkey in Eastbourne. The pressure was on because if we had lost that, it would have been Group C, which is a totally different format, and not where we would want to be at all. The tie went really well, we won 5-0, then next up we played Tunisia in Bolton, and I remember Leon doing a presentation to the guys in the team hotel.
The main theme was that we were on a journey back to the World Group. At the time, it seemed quite ambitious and optimistic, but it has proven to be a reality. Andy coming back on board has been a key thing. It makes a huge difference having him there, but it is amazing the journey from those days. It would be unbelievable to end it by winning the Davis Cup.
Obviously, the team struggled for a while without Andy. There is no doubt about it, but it gave certain people a real chance to step up and play. Over the years, a few people have proven themselves in this arena. James Ward, obviously, while Dan Evans had some amazing Davis Cup results too.”
A look at Team GB’s journey from World II group to Davis Cup final:
Britain defeated the other three Grand Slam nations (USA, France and Australia) to reach their first final since 1978. Let’s have a look at Murray’s and co road to the final:
1st round: GREAT BRITAIN – USA 3-1, Glasgow, indoors
A rematch of last year’s first round, and an similar scenario. James Ward is the hero of the tie: he comes back from two sets down to beat US number 1 John Isner in five sets, whereas Andy Murray wins both his singles matches.
Andy Murray defeats Donald Young 6-1 6-1 4-6 6-2
James Ward defeats John Isner 6-7 5-7 6-3 7-6 15-13
Bob and Mike Bryan defeat Dominic Inglot/Jamie Murray 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-7 9-7
Andy Murray defeats John Isner 7-6 6-3 7-6
QF: GREAT BRITAIN – FRANCE: 3-1, Queen’s Club, grass
Brothers Andy and Jamie Murray propel into the semifinals for the first time since 1981. After Andy’s win over Tsonga on day 1, the Murray brothers win the crucial doubles rubber over Tsonga and Mahut. Andy then gets the job done on Sunday with a win over Simon.
Gilles Simon defeats James Ward 6-4 6-4 6-1
Andy Murray defeats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-5 7-6 6-2
Andy and Jamie Murray defeat Nicolas Mahut/Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 4-6 6-3 7-6 6-1
Andy Murray defeats Gilles Simon 4-6 7-6 6-3 6-0
SF: GREAT BRITAIN – Australia 3-1, Glasgow, indoors
Another 3-point performance by Andy Murray puts Great Britain into the Davis Cup final for the first time since 1978. The Brits will next face Belgium, in a rematch of the 1904 Davis Cup final. Britain won 5-0 back then and will be the favorite again in November.
Andy Murray defeats Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3 6-0 6-3
Bernard Tomic defeats Dan Evans 6-3 7-6 6-7 6-4
Andy and Jamie Murray defeat Sam Groth/Lleyton Hewitt 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-7 6-4
Andy Murray defeats Bernard Tomic 7-5 6-3 6-2
26 November:
Leon Smith picked 3 singles players in his team, which means that Andy will play doubles with his brother Jamie Murray on Saturday. Kyle Edmund will make his Davis Cup debut against David Goffin tomorrow.
Johan van Herck decided to preserve Steve Darcis for the doubles, so Ruben Bemelmans will face Murray on Friday.
Here is the full draw for the 2015 #DavisCupFinal between Belgium and Great Britain pic.twitter.com/95GJBrjxbd
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 26, 2015
Should it come to a decisive fifth rubber, Darcis would probably face James Ward on Sunday.
Belgium or Great Britain, which team will win the Davis Cup 2015?
- Great Britain (96%, 43 Votes)
- Belgium (4%, 2 Votes)
Total Voters: 45
Loading ...23 November:
Updates for people travelling to Ghent:
– Additional security measures will be in place at all entrances to the venue and will apply to all ticket holders, staff members and visitors.
– Entry into the event will take longer than usual. Please keep this in mind when planning your arrival to the Flanders Expo. The gates will open two hours in advance of each day’s start time.
– Bags and backpacks will not be permitted into the Flanders Expo, those who arrive with them will be asked to check them into available off-site storage facilities.
– No food or drink will be allowed into the arena. A full selection of refreshments will be available in venue.
22 November:
British Davis Cup team will fly to Belgium tomorrow morning. Event organisers say they have "not yet had a signal it's not safe" to play
— Russell Fuller (@russellcfuller) November 22, 2015
Dogs and explosive experts will be patrolling the Flanders Expo and all bags will have to be left in lockers outside the venue
— Russell Fuller (@russellcfuller) November 22, 2015
16 November:
No surprise with the teams nominations announced today: Goffin, Darcis, Bemelmans and Coppejans for Belgium, Andy and Jamie Murray, James Ward, Kyle Edmund and Dominic Inglot for Great Britain:
Our TEAM! pic.twitter.com/FGTXdtgrHN
— Johan Van Herck (@johan_van_herck) November 17, 2015
Aegon GB @DavisCup Team to face Belgium: @andy_murray @kyle8edmund @JamesWardtennis @jamie_murray @dominglot pic.twitter.com/luHpwDYDTo
— British Tennis (@BritishTennis) November 17, 2015
Andy Murray seals the tie for Great Britain with a 7-5 6-3 6-2 win over Bernard Tomic. The British team reaches the Davis Cup final for the first time since 1978!
Back then, in his debut as a singles player, John McEnroe led USA to its first victory in the Davis Cup finals since 1972. He defeated John Lloyd and Buster Mottram, surrendering fewer games in his two matches (10) than any other man since the competition began in 1900.
In the other semifinal, Belgium came back from the brink of elimination to beat Argentina in the fifth rubber. The venue for the Davis Cup final – hosted by Belgium – will be confirmed by September 28th.
That’s how former British number 1 now Eurosport commentator Annabel Croft described Andy and Jamie Murray‘s thrilling victory over Sam Groth and Lleyton Hewitt:
Another sensational @DavisCup atmosphere in #Glasgow as Leon Smith lead the team into court! #BackTheBrits pic.twitter.com/iYYKjkx8b9
— British Tennis (@BritishTennis) September 19, 2015
The warm up begins @SamGrothTennis @lleytonhewitt @TKokkinakis #GoAussies #BeatTheBrits pic.twitter.com/hjHtOQnan4
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) September 19, 2015
Andy Murray dispatched young gun Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3 6-0 6-3 to give the first point to Great Britain. Bernard Tomic then levelled after a hard-fought 4-sets win over world number 300 Dan Evans. As often in the Davis Cup, the doubles match will be crucial!
