Murray eases to comfortable victory to draw Britain level in Davis Cup tie

13 April 2012

Andy Murray proved he is no Davis Cup choker with a straight sets victory over Alexander Peya that drew Great Britain level with Austria at one rubber apiece.

Austria's Jurgen Melzer had claimed Murray would struggle to cope with the pressure because 'the whole country expects him to win the Davis Cup by himself'.

But Murray, the new world number four, had no troubles in dispatching Peya - and he then made a choking gesture to mock Melzer's assessment.

Smash hit: A delighted Andy Murray sends a ball into the Wimbledon crowd after completing his victory against Alexander Peya

'I was told I wasn't going to be able to handle the pressure particularly well but Jurgen struggled out there a little bit more than me,' said Murray.

Melzer had earlier rallied from a set and 4-1 down to win the first rubber of the tie against Britain's Alex Bogdanovic 3-6 7-6 (7/3) 6-2 6-1.

But Murray ensured the tie is level heading into tomorrow's doubles by easing to a 6-4 6-1 6-3 victory in front of a packed house.

Without the slightest hint of irony they warmed up the crowd at the All England Club on Friday with a deafening, most unWimbledon-like rendition of Queen's 'We Are The Champions'.

Oh no we're not, and have not been since the days of Fred Perry. In fact, Great Britain face a very sticky weekend as they try to defeat Austria to retain their status in the elite 16-nation Davis Cup knockout group next year.

The first day ended at a predictable 1-1 with three to play, and today's doubles match is still likely to be critical to the eventual outcome.

Although captain John Lloyd would not give much away, he must surely throw in Andy Murray to partner older brother Jamie in order to try to secure what would likely be a decisive advantage.

Andy, 21, was not overtaxed as he levelled the contest with a highly professional 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 win over Austrian No 2 Alexander Peya, and afterwards he indicated his willingness to play.

Earlier, in front of 8,500 inflatable tube-banging enthusiasts, Alex Bogdanovic had succumbed to a similarly predictable result as world No 41 Jurgen Melzer won 3-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-1. 

Gallant loser: Bogdanovic on his way to defeat against Meltzer

If the awkward combination of world class doubles specialist Julian Knowle and Melzer win their match today - and Andy Murray beats the latter in Sunday's first singles - then it will come down to a battle of the No 2s.

To try to head off that scary prospect the younger Murray's technical expertise and big-match temperament must be employed this afternoon, even if he has not been seeing eye-to-eye with 22-year-old Jamie of late.

Whatever minor tensions exist between them, the world singles No 4 is clearly far less well disposed towards Melzer.

At the end of Friday's match Murray made mock choking gestures, a dig back at his Austrian opponent's warning that he might succumb to the pressure this weekend.

‘If you reach the world’s top five you have to deal with pressure. It’s not nice when a fellow professional makes suggestions and he has got me fired up,’ warned
the Scot. ‘I should be ready to play.’

Bogdanovic displayed his natural ability in giving Melzer an initial fright but against Murray the play of 28-year-old Peya, ranked two places below the British No 2 at 164, showed he will be no pushover.

Melzer suggested that Bogdanovic would always struggle over five sets if it came down to it.

‘He didn’t look too fit to me,’ said the Austrian. ‘I knew I was the fitter player and even if I lost the second set tiebreak I thought I would have a good chance.

‘He’s very talented and I was surprised how much he took charge until 4-1 in the
second. But then I started pressuring his backhand. Both players would be nervous
in the fifth rubber but I think Peya would have a good chance.’

Bogdanovic denied that his defeat was anything to do with fitness, and in truth it
did take two sets before Melzer showed the kind of form and flashy shot-making
that has made him an established top 50 player.

There is something surreal about these early autumn Davis Cup ties at Wimbledon, be it the fallen brown leaves on the pavement or the sight of garish advertising hoardings around the arena.

Slightly strange, too, the glorious day plucked straight from high summer and the flares that greeted Bogdanovic and Melzer as they walked on court.

Many has been the time in the British No 2’s career when it has seemed like a firework up the backside was the necessary prescription, but he could barely be faulted for how he played in the first hour of this match.

Far from being nervous, Bogdanovic amply demonstrated his flair with a start of such assurance that he sent his opponent into what might be termed a Melzdown.

The Austrian was missing all over the place and, when the home player broke to go 4-1 up in the second, there was near panic on the visitors’ bench.

Then came the crux of the match, two break points to go 5-1 ahead and the near certainty of a two-set lead.

In fairness, these were saved by fine points constructed by Melzer on the back of first serves, rather than faint heartedness from the man who came into the match 0-7 at Wimbledon.

Bogdanovic led 3-2 in the tiebreak before the Austrian embarked on a run of 13 victorious points that utterly shifted the momentum of the match and made it look again like there was a gap of 111 places in the rankings. By the end it was a procession.

Should it all come down to the fifth rubber on Sunday afternoon, the tension will be somewhat more excruciating.

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