Britain got off and running in Davis Cup play on Wednesday, with Jack Draper and Dan Evans leading a 2-0 defeat of 2022 finalist Australia in Manchester.
The straight-set singles sweep rendered the deciding doubles redundant as Draper held off Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-7 (6), 6-3, 7-6 (4) while Evans accounted for ATP No. 12 Alex de Minaur, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4.
The multi-nation group stage at the last of the Spanish-run editions of the formerly prestigious competition features Britain, Australia, France and Switzerland.
The top two finishers pass onto the Finals in Malaga in November.
The Brits next take on Switzerland on Friday and tangle with arch-rival France on Sunday’s closing session.
The French got away on Tuesday to a 3-0 defeat of the Swiss.
Andy Murray, who led the nation to the Davis Cup[ trophy in 2015 over Belgium, is part of the squad along with national No. 1 Cam Norrie.
But Murray ruled himself out of a Davis start while still bemoaning his US Open second-round loss to Grigor Dimitrov.
Rookie Draper was pleased with his winning start in front of an estimated 9.500.
“I’m playing for my country and had to put everything out on the line – usually I’m playing for myself.
“There is nothing better. It was a real battle, it is amazing to play my first Davis Cup tie in the UK and I’m grateful to be here.”
The event which was sold by the ITF to a Spanish management company specialising in football, is it’s last iteration without the beloved home-and-away format which was jettisoned in the name of progress in 2019 by now-bankrupt organisers.
Kokkinakis said he beat himself: “I let my nerves get to me. He didn’t do anything crazy, I was a little overanxious and a bit passive.
“Credit to him, he made me play – but I didn’t win it.”
Main photo:- Jack Draper gets Team GB off to a winning start – by ITF/Davis Cup
