GB rely on Evans after Ward defeat

12 April 2012

Great Britain's hopes of Davis Cup victory over Slovakia lay with Dan Evans after James Ward was beaten 7-6 (11/9) 6-1 6-3 by Lukas Lacko in Glasgow to leave the tie level at 2-2.

Evans, who gave Leon Smith's side such a brilliant start at Braehead Arena on Friday with victory over world number 65 Lacko, now faces a third deciding rubber in as many Davis Cup ties.

The 21-year-old was absent from the team for their four comfortable wins under Smith prior to this tie having not played since losing a five-set clash with Lithuania's Laurynas Grigelis two years ago, while he also lost the final rubber against Poland in 2009.

As well as Evans had played on Friday, Lacko, who reached the final of the ATP World Tour event in Zagreb last week, was certainly below his best and it would have been a surprise had he not raised his level.

The flat hitting of Ward compared to Evans' use of spin and slice also seemed likely to suit Lacko better but there was nothing to choose between the pair in the tightest of first sets.

Ward, ranked almost 100 places below his opponent, traded shot for shot as serve dominated and it took 20 points of an epic tie-break before Lacko finally prevailed.

Three times the Londoner saved set points, once with a forehand that must have caught the very edge of the line, but he miscued a backhand on his only chance and when Lacko moved ahead again Ward netted a forehand.

The danger after losing such a close battle is the disappointment is carried into the next set, and that is exactly what happened as Ward began to throw in errors and promptly lost five games in a row.

He saved the first two set points to at least avoid a love set but Lacko was looking very at home on the court and it was no surprise when he broke again to lead 2-1 in the third set.

Ward, who did not manage a single break point all match, tried his best to hang in the contest, saving two match points at 5-3, the first with a thumping forehand winner down the line, but it all ended rather forlornly with a double fault on the third chance.

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