2015 winners Britain back in Davis Cup group stage finals

Britain booked a place in the Davis Cup Group Stage Finals with Cameron Norrie’s 6-4 6-4 win over Nicolas Mejia in Bogota on Saturday.

The world number 11 Norrie’s success came after Dan Evans and Neal Skupski beat Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah in the doubles to put the visitors ahead in the tie for the first time.

Norrie, who beat Nicolas Barrientos on the first day, saw off Mejia in just over two hours on his second match point.

Norrie’s win meant Evans, who lost to Mejia on Friday, did not need to play the final match against Barrientos. Britain now go through to the group stage in September.

Norrie said afterwards “It was a good day, with Dan and Neal coming out strong, they came out firing with a tough ask against some of the best doubles guys in the world, especially in these conditions in Bogota,”

Team Captain Leon Smith who led Britain to victory in the Davis Cup in 2015 added: “I just can’t thank the players enough for the commitment they’ve given – and all the support team, as well, that have done the same.”

Smith added he had “immense” pride in his team’s performance, which was achieved  despite the short time after the Australian Open.

“Feelings are one of immense pride for what the boys have done, and the support team – everyone’s committed a lot of time to this,” Smith said before returning to the UK.

“Hats off to the players – they came down to Colombia, most straight from Melbourne, came earlier than we would ever normally do for a Davis Cup, it was a big commitment from them, but we did that to prepare best for what happened these last two days and it’s definitely paid off.

“There’s a lot of work that the players have done to adapt in a short space of time and they went out and fought really hard.

“It never had to be the highest quality of tennis because conditions don’t allow for that, but it needed a lot of grit and determination.

“The important thing is we got a win, which gives us a chance to keep being successful this year and (we’re) really looking forward to September now.

Results

• Colombia 1-3 Great Britain
• Nicolas Meija (COL) bt. Dan Evans (GBR) 6-2, 2-6, 6-4
• Cam Norrie (GBR) bt. Nicolas Barrientos (COL) 7-5, 6-2
• Dan Evans & Neal Skupski (GBR) bt. Juan-Sebastian Cabal & Robert Farah (COL) 6-4, 6-4
• Cam Norrie (GBR) bt. Nicolas Meija (COL) 6-4, 6-4

Main photo:-Cameron Norrie wins deciding rubber ©davis cup by Rakuten