Andy Murray’s reward for dragging Great Britain back into the Davis Cup World Group for the first time since 2008 is a winnable tie away to the United States.
The Wimbledon champion, who won both singles and doubles matches in a 4-1 rout of Croatia at the weekend, will have to replicate those heroics as the USA boast Mike and Bob Bryan, the top doubles team in the sport.
Were Murray and Colin Fleming — who joined forces against Croatia — unable to defeat the Bryans then Britain would be relying on a singles victory from Dan Evans or James Ward. However, neither is in the world’s top 150 and they could be up against John Isner, ranked No15, or world No31 Sam Querrey.
Both tall Americans have huge serves and will want the tie played on a fast surface although that will also suit Murray’s game as the former US Open champion has proved he can beat anyone on hard courts in North America.
The three-day tie starts on January 31 and Murray will be coming into it on the back of playing hard court tennis as the Australian Open concludes five days earlier.
If Britain win they will face either a Juan Martin del Potro-led Argentina team or an Italy side, whose top player is world No17 Fabio Fognini, in the quarter-finals.
Britain have not won a World Group tie since 1986 against Spain but captain Leon Smith said: “We will go into this with a lot of confidence and look forward to it.”
