Murray and Inglot claim four-set win to give GB advantage
BySportsbeat
Updated 04/02/2017 at 23:21 GMT
Jamie Murray and Dom Inglot gave Great Britain a boost heading into the decisive day of Davis Cup reverse with a four-set victory over Vasek Pospisil and Daniel Nestor.
Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot of Great Britain celebrate a point as Vasek Pospisil of Canada turns away during the doubles match on day two of the Davis Cup World Group tie between Great Britain and Canada at TD Place Arena on February 4, 2017 in Ottawa
Image credit: AFP
The visiting side now lead Canada 2-1, meaning they need just one win from Sunday's two singles rubbers to claim the victory and a spot in the second round – as well as securing their World Group spot for 2018.
After Dan Evans got the Brits off to a flying start in Friday's singles, Kyle Edmund was upset by Vasek Pospisil meaning the winner of Saturday's doubles rubber would go into Sunday with a crucial advantage.
And it was the Brits that got it, taking a tight match 7-6 6-7 7-6 6-3 in a true battle of serving on a hard and fast surface in Ottawa.
The win left Murray and Inglot elated, and knowing a spot in the second round – where they would play France – is now a real possibility.
"Both teams knew how important it was. It was a 50-50 match going into it, there wasn't really a favourite, we knew it was going to be a close game because of the surface and how everyone was serving on the court and everyone knows how to play doubles," said the Scot.
"We're really happy to win the point and give our guys two bites at the cherry on Sunday.
"As the match went on we started to start the points better and make a few more returns, and they started to get a bit tired, as well.
"The surface is not easy, it's so hard on the joints and Vasek played on Friday and Nestor is a bit older than us, so there was no excuse for us not to try to outlast them.
"But we did a great job, we stayed strong at the important moments, three tie breaks in the first three sets.
"And Dom played a great game in the fourth set to break serve and that was it, it's fine margins."
Sunday sees in-form Evans take on Pospisil in the opening singles rubber, with Edmund slated to play Denis Shapovalov in the second rubber, should it be required.
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