Taylor goes for the kill in Davis Cup

13 April 2012

Captain Roger Taylor is planning to go for the kill in Britain's Davis Cup clash with Portugal.

Comfortable victories for Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski at the National Indoor Arena gave the home side a commanding 2-0 lead.

Taylor, however, is not taking up the option of resting one or both of his top players.

Left-hander Martin Lee and 18-year-old Lee Childs were waiting in the wings to make their Davis Cup debuts and gain some valuable experience in the Euro/African Zone Group One tie.

But former Wimbledon semi-finalist Taylor decided not to take any chances with the memory of Henman and Arvind Parmar's defeat last July in the disastrous loss to Ecuador still painfully fresh in the mind.

"They are our best pair at the moment," said Taylor.

"I thought Martin Lee and Lee Childs looked a good pair in practice but we are trying to use our experienced guys and win the doubles.

"In Davis Cup tennis the standard is too good. It's important we get our best doubles team in and it's a pity Tim and Greg don't play more together."

Rusedski was also looking forward to teaming up with Henman and maintaining the pair's 100 per cent record after recovering from a shaky start to beat Emanuel Couto 6-3 6-7 6-1 6-2 on Friday.

"It was a bit of a nervy performance the first two sets," admitted Rusedski.

"I didn't have much rhythm on my returns but then I began to relax and get into the match.

"I was probably thinking about Ecuador a little bit, having the injury and losing a match I should have won but I was pleased with the way I played in the third and fourth sets.

"On paper I should have won like Tim in three sets but I was just pleased to get the win and the result we wanted.

"Now Tim and I are looking forward to playing the doubles and I think we are in good shape at the moment. We are not taking any risks and looking to get the three points right away. Tim and I are a good combination."

Earlier on Friday Henman had wasted little time in beating the ineffective challenge of Tiago Vinhas de Sousa.