Trio fight it out for cup spots

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 13:05

With the British number one having decided not to play in the tie following relegation to Europe/Africa Zone Group II, the trio – respectively ranked 252, 258 and 288 in the world – have been given the task of trying to arrest Britain’s slide.

John Lloyd’s team have not won since their World Group play-off against Croatia in 2007 – Tim Henman’s final match – and four successive defeats have plunged them into the third tier of the competition.

Baker is the only one of the trio to have won a Davis Cup match having defeated Agustin Calleri in a dead rubber against Argentina in 2008.

However, he has lost his other three matches while Evans was well beaten in both his singles clashes against Poland last autumn and Ward is yet to make his debut.

As expected, doubles duo Colin Fleming and Ken Skupski have been included following their rapid rise up the ATP rankings while fellow doubles specialist Ross Hutchins makes up the six-strong squad.

Lloyd said: “This is a real opportunity for some of our younger players to gain valuable Davis Cup experience. I’m confident that they all have the ability to perform at this level and a passion to represent their country.”

The tie will take place at the Vitas Gerulaitis Memorial Tennis Centre in Vilnius from March 5 to 7. Lloyd must name his final team of four by midday on February 23.

Now get the WORLD’S BEST TENNIS MAGAZINE here