Tim Henman oversaw Great Britain’s victory against Japan despite Emma Raducanu’s withdrawal from her match with Naomi Osaka.
Billy Harris defeated Shintaro Mochizuki, which was followed up by a doubles victory from Olivia Nicholls and Neal Skupski against Nao Hibino and Yasutaka Uchiyama.
Those two victories cancelled out Naomi Osaka’s victory against Katie Swan after Raducanu’s last-minute withdrawal.
Nicholls and Skupski needed a deciding tie-break to earn the win for Great Britain, in which Tim Henman called for his very first timeout.
Tim Henman calls the new timeout rule a ‘good option’
The United Cup has unveiled the new timeout rule for the 2026 event, which can only be called during doubles matches.
Both Japan and Great Britain called for the timeout during the deciding tie-break, and Henman was delighted with its effect.
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“I think that was the most significant moment of the day personally (smiling). No, it’s something that is new to the event this year. I don’t think it’s been used a massive amount.
“Just before the tiebreak started, I sort of said, Perhaps there will be an opportunity. Japan kind of beat us to the punch. But we responded after they had the timeout.
“Yeah, when we had our timeout, it was a good opportunity to finish things off. So yeah, I think it adds to the drama.
“Yeah, it’s obviously only in the doubles that you can use the timeout. Yeah, I think it’s a good option. I think it was great actually that both teams had left it to the deciding tiebreak to utilize them. But we’re just very, very happy with the result.”
Great Britain will be next in action on 5 January, when they will play a Greece team made up of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari.
Tim Henman has worked wonders with his slim United Cup squad
Great Britain were made one of the favourites for the tournament when Jack Draper and Raducanu signed up for the tournament.
Draper withdrew from the United Cup, along with the Australian Open, denting Great Britain’s squad considerably.
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Raducanu’s withdrawal ahead of her match with Osaka was another blow, so it’s impressive that they were able to overcome Japan.
Nevertheless, Great Britain will likely need Raducanu back in the fold to have a chance of beating a very strong Greece team.
Tsitsipas and Sakkari looked very impressive in their opening matches against Mochizuki and Osaka of Japan.
