Davis Cup, Glasgow                                                                                                            World Group 1st Round                                                   

Day 1, Rubber 1: [CR5] Andy Murray (GBR) vs. [CR47] Donald Young (USA)

Young was completely dominated in the three sets he lost.  He started off extremely slow, almost paralyzed with panic due to the occasion and could barely play. Unfortunately for Young, Murray was in no such state and he quickly took the first two sets 6-1, 6-1.  A brief loss of focus by Murray in the third set resulted in sloppy play and gave Young the set.  Murray regained his focus in the fourth set and won 6-1, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.  Murray gave the Brits the first tie.

Day 1, Rubber 2: [CR20] John Isner (USA) vs. [CR111] James Ward (GBR)

Ward continues to impress, rising to the challenge of these big occasions, he does it again in Davis Cup by defeating the USA number one player, Isner.  Ward was down two sets and every American watching probably thought that this was Isner’s for the taking.  Unfortunately you cannot count Ward out; he found his best tennis in the latter stages as Isner started to fatigue, both mentally and physically.  The Americans are down 2-0 and their chances of winning this tie have dropped significantly. Ward surprises Isner, coming back to win 6-7(4), 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(3), 15-13.

Some players respond brilliantly to the pressure of playing for their country.  Perhaps the added pressure causes them to focus better, whatever the reason, James Ward has become that player for Great Britain.  Despite his dismal record throughout the year, come Davis Cup time he manages to produce his best tennis and usually it seems at the expense of the American team.  Isner was not supposed to lose this match.  He had the better record and game, plus he went up two sets to none, all he needed was to win one more set.  Unfortunately the pressure got to Isner negatively and he lost from a winning position.