United States Tab Young to Start Davis Cup
The United States has selected Donald Young to open up their Davis Cup tie this weekend, as the 47th-ranked Young will face off with fifth-ranked Andy Murray in the opening singles match.
The draws were released on Thursday as the Americans have decided to go with the hot hand to combat the Scottish star. Young has reached three quarterfinals already in 2015, including a semifinal run in Memphis and finishing runner up in Delray Beach.
“I feel more comfortable and confident than last year,” said Young. “Last year was my first time competing in Davis Cup. I had a ton of nerves starting the match off.”
He has a tall task on his plate when he takes on Murray. Despite Murray’s struggles in his last two tournaments, he has played excellent tennis in recent months, including his run to the Australian Open final in January.
“It will be a tough match either way because Andy is a great player,” he added. “But I feel like I am playing well and I look forward to seeing what happens.”
The two players have met four times in their careers, with Murray leading the series 3-1. Young won the first matchup between the two at Indian Wells back in 2011, but Murray has won the last three, with the most recent coming at last year’s Davis Cup.
“It should be a great atmosphere,” said Murray. “Obviously an indoor hard court is a quite neutral surface for everyone. It will be tough if they are all fit and well. It will be a tough one for us to win but it’s possible.”
Starting the second singles match will be the highest ranked American, John Isner. He will do battle with James Ward on Friday following the Murray-Young bout. Isner is ranked 91 spots in front of Ward, and his victory is essential if the Americans are to prevail this weekend. Ward knocked off Sam Querrey at this stage in last year’s Davis Cup matchup.
Isner and Ward have met just once prior, at a Challenger event in 2009, where Isner won 7-6(4), 7-5.
“The energy that players get in an environment like tomorrow is a very different feeling. Some people rise to the occasion, some shrink. Rarely do players play normal, which makes it fun to watch and see what happens,” said US Captain Jim Courier on the opening day matches. “That is the important thing about competition. Players feel the team camaraderie and the pride and responsibility for their nation and need to manage that.”
On Saturday, the Bryan Brothers will take on the British doubles tandem, of Dominic Inglot & Jamie Murray.
Andy Murray has not left out the possibility that he could partake in the doubles match, but says it is unlikely he will take the court Saturday.
“I would say it is unlikely I will play the doubles on Saturday,” he said. “But if it’s required then I obviously know Jamie’s game well, and Dom’s.”
In the final two reverse singles matches on Sunday, Murray will take on Isner and Young will play Ward.
The winner of the five-match series will host either France or Germany in the quarterfinals.
Below is the complete list of matchups for this weekend:
Friday
â–ºRound 1: Donald Young vs. Andy Murray
►​Round 2: John Isner vs. James Ward
Saturday
â–ºRound 3: Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan vs. Dominic Inglot/Jamie Murray
Sunday
â–ºRound 4: John Isner vs. Andy Murray
â–ºRound 5: Donald Young vs. James Ward
