Great Britain in trouble after doubles defeat

Saturday, 08, Apr 2006 07:41

Great Britain now have to win both remaining singles matches if they are to progress in the Davis Cup after losing the doubles rubber in four sets.

Despite the return of the UK number one Andy Murray to the doubles pairing, he and partner Greg Rusedski could not overcome Serbia & Montenegro's pairing of Nenad Zimonjic and Ilia Bozoljac.

After losing the first set 6-3, they seemed to have regained some composure to take the second 6-3.

Any hopes of turning the match round were short lived, however, as Serbia & Montenegro won the next two sets 6-3 6-4.

Authorities said that the Great Britain team would also be fined following an outburst from Andy Murray at the match umpire Adel Aref.

The third set seemed to be the key to sealing defeat, as Rusedski double faulted twice during his serve to lose that game, allowing the Serbians to take a 4-2 lead.

It was an advantage they pressed home to take the third set and the pair seemed to take that momentum into the fourth.

Rusedski and Murray then both had their serves broken during the fourth set and, despite gaining a break of their own, it proved to be too big a lead to overhaul.

There are now hopes that Murray will be fit enough to play one of Sunday's singles matches to give Great Britain a chance of coming back to win the tie 3-2.