GB v USA - Day 1, Part 1 Davis Cup

Good evening. Coming up over the next three days, Great Britain's

Davis Cup tie against the United States it is Britain's first

appearance in the world group since 2008. Now, they are familiar in this

competition that dates back more than 100 years. During that time it

has produced patriot patriotic scenes and sporting drama around the

world. Ties between Great Britain and the United States are special

and always have been. Lord's, ladies and gentlemen, the

British Davis Cup team... There was something about it - it made you

proud. Probably mattered more to the British than the Americans. Now you

see the rally... That's it - they have done it! Great Britain through

to the Davis Cup final. McEnroe's victory put the cup beyond Britain's

reach. That's it. A truly amazing scene!

We find ourselves in the world group again after a five-year gap. It is

one of the things that makes it different throw are some tactics in

it. Everyone is desperate to play it is unique in so many ways. With me,

two people who know all about Davis Cup tennis. We saw a clip of you -

that was in 1978. That was on USA soil. What is it like playing

America there? It is tough. We had a big crowd. It was in Palm Springs. I

had to play John McEnroe, which was not nice for me. There is always a

good atmosphere. Hopefully if the crowd is big - there is something

special about GB against the USA. That was a nice shot of your dad. He

was a daifts cup captain. What an amazing picture. It is an in

incredible tie, one I look forward to. I know you would love to be out

there. You have been given the all-clear from cancer, which is

great. Hopefully you'll be back in the soon. What is the team like -

have they looked forward to this? Absolutely. Everybody in the team

thrives on the Davis Cup. They look forward to the atmosphere limit be a

great atmosphere out there in San Diego. It is tough against the USA.

It will be an I mazing atmosphere. Ward -- an amazing atmosphere. James

Ward has been playing well. Now it is more wide open. Yes James Ward v

Andy Murray, carrying the hopes for the nation in the singles. Back in

the world oup - the first time since 2008. It is great to be there, isn't

it? It is very special. When you have a player like Andy Murray in

your team, he can win two singles in all of the matches. You look at the

Groups there. There are many tough teams out there. It is good to see

Australia back as well. The Czech Republic, they are back. There's an

interesting one at the bottom. That will be interesting to follow.

Of course we will keep an eye on Great Britain against the United

States. The winner will face Argentina or Italy in April. We will

keep you up-to-date as it goes along. Let's talk about Andy coming

into this. He is playing up against Donald Young, which, as you said,

has come in because of John Isner. Andy, it is great to have him and he

always said to Leon, I will come and play and he did against Croatia and

this is where he wants to be. Absolutely. He said his focus the

last couple of years were Grand Slams. Now he has that title he is

able to concentrate on the Davis Cup. He played well in Australia.

Probably 80% of his best level. He is fit fighting fit. He is healthy.

-- he is fighting fit. He is healthy.

Play getting underway in just a moment. We were at the arena last

weekend. Rod is back. He lives in California. He is making his way on

to court for the coin toss. He will enjoy Great Britain against the

United States. He is shaking hands with Jim Courier, shaking hands.

There's the captain. I know, you live in California as well - he is

quite a presence out there? The most modest champion of all time. You

would not think he has won through the Grand Slam twice. He comes out,

hits a few balls. He talks well about the present-day champions. No

jealousy or anything. He is a wonderful man. He hit with Roger

Federer in Melbourne. That was amazing! Roger Federer knows all

about legends and the history of the game and how important it is. It is

lovely they are honoured at all the Grand Slams. Wimbledon does its

thing as well. Everyone appreciated what anyone did in any generation.

Rod, he is many people's best of all times. That is the opening match. As

Rod does the coin toss... So that was a few minutes ago. The players

are on court. We have three days to look forward to. And of course this

singles match is first on court. It is doubles tomorrow. The Britain

brothers we expect it to be Sam Querrey, Colin Fleming.

It looks good. It will be a fantastic match on Sunday evening.

Really exciting. Looking at Andy, he is looking very good. He is looking

good against left-handers. He is feeling good. He'll be trying

to get one ahead. We will talk between matches about

why Leon went for him and instead of Kyle Edmund. As far as this match is

concerned, well Jim Courier has had a difficult week. Boy, John Isner -

he said he knew a week ago, he pulled out of his first round in

Australia. To lose Isner and to bring in Donald Young - ranked 79th.

When you look at what has happened to American tennis! That sums it up.

No disrespect to Donald Young, at 79, to be in the Davis Cup match for

the United States. When would you ever expect that to happen? Jim

Courier had no choice. The good thing is, if he will be nervous and

I am sure he will be, it is better he goes up against Andy in the first

match. He can open his shoulders up. No-one is expecting him to win. It

is a tough ask for Donald Young. This is way above his sort of pay

grade, so to speak, going into a Davis Cup in a world group. Weapon

will see how he adapts. We are playing at the baseball ground

there. They have made this court - it has been a big talking point

because it is a temporary play court. It looks like a red European

Court. It is fast, it is slippery and they think it is dangerous. They

are trying to change it. That could play into Britain's hands as well. I

was surprised when they put it on clay. I thought they would have a

faster court. Of to put it on a clay court. Isner had success in the

past. He won in France last year. John Isner is not here. It come

comes down in favour for the British team. I have heard it is fast,

slippery and tough to move out of corners. I have heard the bounce is

true. When it is a dodgy clay court, the bounce is wonky. It is important

so Andy does not get frustrated and can play his normal name. He got the

trouble with his back and pulled out of the clay court season earlier.

That was the problems earlier this year he will be weary about his

movement. He does not want anything to go wrong. The calm is the home

team can do whatever they want. Having said this, if this surface is

unpredictable and dangerous - they were saying they should have rules

where the court has to be laid in a certain amount of time so the

officials can check it out. You should not be allowed to put a court

in which is dangerous for the players. Hopefully that will not

happen today. Let's talk about Donald Young. He has a win over Andy

at India wells back in 2011. He plays well. He is fast and plays

well. A very good forehand. He doesn't always seem like he's

mentally there. He often seems frustrated with the set-up.

Sometimes it can get the better of him on court. If Andy can play to

his level and keep his mind solid he'll have too much for Donald

Young. Donald Young took a set offer Ferrer in Auckland.

Andy is the far stronger player. As we see here he has huge experience,

Andy and far the greater player of Donald Young. These historic

meetings, there have been so many between these two nations. They date

back - that was the first match back in 1900 between America and Great

Britain. More and more countries have been added. 122 taking part in

the Davis Cup this year. I am worried to see Andy leaving the

court straight away. Maybe a little nervous or something.

Who knows what it is! This is making Donald think more about - this is a

big match for him. It is tough for Jim Courier to have a debutante on

the chair. He has his towel over his head. It is like, captain, I am

ignoring you. It is interesting opening scenes. Courier a relaxed

personality. He has been in Australia. He has worked for TV. He

would have spent time with Donald Young. Having him as a back-up I

expected Courier and Young to be together, talking a lot, emotional,

going about fr on about where to serve -- going on about where to

serve. Every player is different. John will talk about it more in

commentary because he has headed up to the commentary box now. Andy

didn't want to talk. We will see that and the difference between the

two singles matches that Leon Smith will be really talking to, bending

down, getting in James Ward's ear, whereas Andy knows it all. He'll let

him do his thing and let him be there if he needs him. Leon will not

be worried that Andy is walking behind the court - I am sure it was

a brief toilet break. Leon doesn't have to say much. This is what Jim

Courier is paid for. He has a tough job as American captain - it is for

moments like this. Difficult situations to mentor Donald Young in

his opening match. It will be a tough ask for Donald Young. Andy

will get some fist pumps to get GB off to a good start. Ross, you are

heading up to the commentary box as well. You can keep in -- get in

touch via the website: You can Tweet us or on Facebook. We

are getting underway here. Ross will join John Lloyd and John

Overend for this one. It is morning out in California. A

grey and overcast day. Some lovely weather in the build-up to this tie.

Some rain in the morning forecast. Hopefully that will stay away.

Looking like he's going for extra warmth there with two layers. He

didn't play the last time Britain were at this elite level, pulling

out a couple of days before the match in Argentina, five years ago.

Not an episode recorded with any great satisfaction by anyone

involved. Five years on, here he is - the USA against Great Britain. The

first round of the world group. The longest rally we've had.

Watching this, obviously the first game only, maybe because of the

atmosphere being that heavy, it doesn't look that fast at the

moment. They have talked about how it is a fast leg, but so far doesn't

look very quick. Murray closes up the open ping day

on the clay in San Diego. There's Jim Courier. The former world number

one. A four-time Grand Slam champion. Jacket and tie. What is

that? I would like to see him wear that if he goes to Argentina in the

summer! I would like to see if he keeps his jacket on. A hot talking

point - the attire. Not sure many agree with it.

Fascinating to see Donald Young under his towel.

You expect the final few words of the captain. That was a proper, no,

I don't want to hear from you. Go away!

They have been getting on well during the practise sessions, from

what I hear. A lot of communication. Good play there from Murray. Good

depth on the forehand and Young is not going to get away with too many

of his balls. That length is not going to get the

job done. A long way back behind the baseline.

That is reminiscent of the very first shot Andy Murray played in the

Davis Cup, out in Israel, 2005. Debut, first ball, reserving serve,

thumped it, like that one. It was a doubles match.

It is about biding your time, waiting for the opportunity to make

the American miss and move. And this is what inevitably happens.

A very interesting character, Donald Young. Billed as, well, the next big

thing - practically for the past decade. Given wildcards at 15, 16,

17, 18. This is his Davis Cup debut. He's 79

in the world at the moment. He has been as high as 38. I think it would

be fair to say they are still waiting Stateside for him to fulfil

all that early potential when he won the Australian Open juniors at just

15. Donald Young probably owes a few

dinners to John McEnroe over the years. John McEnroe was the first

one who raved how good he would be. He picked it up and gave him a huge

contract, which ran for a number of years.

It is always nice to have him on his side. If you remember, in 2 11,

sorry 2012, Donald Young was on a 23-match losing streak, or late 20s.

It was a tough time for Young. He's done better in recent times.

Excellent start from the Wimbledon champion. That year he won, he only

won five matches in the season. 24 defeats.

At times you feel he and his family have a very high Estaiation of his

own ability -- estimation of his ability. He talked about them on

Twitter because they would not give him a wildcard into Wimbledon. They

had to apologise. He said he believed the sentiment behind the

Tweet in the first place. In that respect it is surprising to see him

get the call up here and represent the US in this tie. I know a lot of

people felted that was basically -- felt that was basically

career-suicide. The amount of wildcards, and for him to complain

was mindboggling. I am sure the U S TA were not happy about that. There

was no-one else to pick, really. I watched a couple of American players

- a young player, who is looking good. I thought he could be

involved, Ryan Harrison - very surprising he has not got the call

up. Jim Courier clearly fancies him and likes the way he plays.

Although this is the fourth game - the best of five-set matches. It is

not going the American's way. A rookie and Andy Murray very

professional the way he started this match to. A nervous opponent, he's

not giving anything. You know what Jim Courier is

thinking - you should have listened to me before the match.

It is not a good start for the debutante, Donald Young.

Seen the one down-the-line. That was crosscourt and pressure on Donald

Young's serve. Doesn't have a particularly big serve. That will

get eaten alive by Murray. Murray doing an excellent job here.

Best of five sets in Davis Cup. The captain is looking over his

shoulder already. That is not a good sign. The feet

were not moving there at all. He is tired.

And so is he too. There comes a point when you are

four-love down, the first match ever for your country, you start wanting

to win a game in this first set Really impressive from Murray.

Young, not a the races. Britain against the USA on clay, in

California. Such a proud tradition these two meeting, not just in

tennis. The first ever Davis Cup tie in 1900. John Lloyd you were a coach

when Britain last played in the final. It is unclear if you were

involved in 1995, but you have lots of experience in battles between

these nations? Well, I will tell you one thing, Jim Courier, it is not

only that he is losing, that is expected but it is the way that he

is going about it at the moment. The problem here, that is what Jim

Courier is thinking now, he is not expecting him to beat Andy Murray

but if his confidence take as battering, he may have to play the

fifth rubber. The best case scenario is to play a good match to get rid

of the nerves, but at the moment, it is turning out to be a disaster for

him. He must get back on board here somewhere.

I suppose, John, if Andy Murray is in form, which he looks to be, and

fully fit, which he looks be, which he really is, he could be playing

for the doubles tomorrow. As with things standing with the

team nominations it could be James Ward against Donald Young would that

not be something if Britain can win in their back yard on clay? The last

time that Britain beat the USA in the Davis Cup was 1935. That S at

Wimbledon. And the last win on clay was 81 years ago. 1933.

I do think that this is a 50/50 tie. With Isner in the team I think that

the Americans would have been the favourite.

And everyone in San Diego in the past week, realised that Isner would

pull out. So Donald Young has had time to prepare. He has had ready to

play. Some time on the courts. No real excuses other than nerves to

play a poor opening first set. The problem is if you are tight,

Andy Murray is about the worst person to play. He makes you play so

many balls. It is difficult to get the ball past him!

Well its his first game on the board for Donald Young.

That is what Donald Young has to do. He must go back to when he is

struggling. He must use the serve and the forehand. He will be

relieved he has the opening game of his Davis Cup career, but it is not

looking good so far. Was that Mike or Bob? That was Mike.

Wow! That is good. I could not tell! A slightly thinner face.

I will have to look for that. This is very difficult to move

behind on a slippery clay-court. It takes the time away from the

opponent. Andy Murray is controlling the centre of the court so well. He

is making his opponent struggle with the movement.

Oh, dear, even with a decent net approach, Donald Young can't make

the volley. It is three set points for Andy Murray in just 22 minutes.

There it is! A perfect start for Britain.

Memories with this Britain/USA match of that incredible tie, John, that

you were very much at the heart in 1999. I'm sure some of you may have

been there in the arena. Probably one of the greatest Davis Cup ties,

certainly in recent years. The atmosphere incredible. It came down

to the final set and the final match. That's right. With Jim

Courier and rudz rudz rudz. -- and Greg Rudseksi, but Jim Courier was

amazing when it came down to it. A fabulous tie.

It was 8-6 in the final set for Jim Courier. Todd Martin and big Greg on

straight sets on the opening day. Being on a temporary gantry with the

commentary boxes.therapy rattling from the vibe rations of the crowd

noise that very day. This is very different. This stadium is set up in

left field of the Petco Park. It certainly looks good. You may have

thought they would have sold a few more tickets but maybe it will fill

up as the day goes on. I think it was a bit of a troubled

match this for the promoters. I think that the USTA were seeing who

would take it but it comes up against the Super Bowl on Sunday.

You don't want any sporting event going up against that in the States,

but it is disappointing to see a crowd like this, to be honest. You

would expect this to be completely packed. It is a disappointing crowd.

Are you surprised about the surface choice, John? When I heard about it,

I presumed in Jim Courier's mind, he has to think that, you know,

obviously Isner would have a chance against Andy Murray, and obviously

to make sure that number two was taken care of but that it could come

down to the doubles. I thought that the Bryans would have something to

say on that, but I am surprised about the surface.

One of the reasons that Jim Courier chose the surface was hoping that

Andy Murray would not play. Knowing the back history. Knowing he does

not fancy a match on clay, but to use that as a reason would be

surprising on home court territory? Yes.

It has cost a lot of money to install the temporary clay-court it

is never easy. Normally in an ideal world you give a court like this

time to bed in. That has not happened. That is why it has been

slippery in practise. A lot of the players have been talking about

that. No slips or slides, though so far. The second set. The best of

five. CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

That's far away Donald Young's best point so far. He was able to move

his opponent. And that is pretty much the story of

his career in two points. A decent point but the inconsistency is

holding him back. Absolutely.

That was a shocking forehand. Mid-way up the net there. That is

the problem. A little bit of panic is setting into his game.

It can easily happen when you are up against someone like Andy Murray,

with the best of five. You feel like you can't hit winners against him.

Fortunately, although that was a decent serve, he will not get many

cheap points on his serve, either. Oh! A classic Andy Murray!

Absolutely classic. Grinding down his opponent and finishing the point

in style. The other factor here, of course, if

Andy Murray can get this done very quickly, almost certainly he will be

out to play the doubles tomorrow. It would be a great boost for Britain.

I'm sure he wants to play any way, but if this were to be a long three

to five hour match-set, it could have been less possible.

It could increase the possibility for Dominic Inglot coming into the

kwaut et. Yes, whenever you have someone of

Andy Murray's stature in the team, you wait until as late as possible

in the morning, on the Saturday morning to see if he can play in the

doubles match. "Am I playing?" " " know, Andy has

not told us yet"! The problem in that game, it is a grind for him to

win the points. We have talked about Donald Young's

struggles but Andy Murray has been in impressive form. Hardly missed a

ball. The few he missed were in the opening game, but he has played

really well in the opening game on clay-court.

His movement is good. He is sliding well. The balance is good. He does

not look rushed. He is in total control at the moment.

This is Enri kwushgs e Molina coming down to inspect the line. It has

clipped the line. -- Enrigue.

He can accurately determine whether it is in or out.

Oh! Andy Murray has done so well to keep that rally alive. That will

have tested the back. Young trying to put it away at the

net. . It is what we have come to expect

from Andy Murray now, isn't it? You just want to make your opponent keep

playing one more shot in the rally. Murray has improved so much in the

forecourt. He is able to build the rally from the start. As soon as

there is a snip of opportunity to take the point, he is off. I'm not

sure about the speed. 139 miles per hour on a serve.

That's generous! Again we talk about classic Murray

plays, that is what he is so good at. He spots his opponent coming

into the net, doesn't he? He knows exactly where he will be at the

right time. So he plays that passing shot with just the right speed so it

lands down at the shoe laces. As soon as the rallies go past four

or five shots, Murray is in such control. The way he is orchestrating

the point and moving his opponent. It looks like he's played on the

clay for a long time. Yes, the forehand is looking awesome today.

Problems again for Young. He has no clay-court record to speak of at

all. You would have to go back to April, 2008 to find the only time he

has won a main tour, tour level match on clay.

He played challenges on the surfaces last year and lost to all six tour

level matches he played in 2013. Another break for Britain. Murray

ahead in the second set. Playing with complete control, you

feel. He is in complete control of this

situation and this match. Here come the brass band again. Did

you ship them over for us, Lloyd? I thought they were there for the

ild-up but they are playing all the hits and more at the changeovers, so

well done to them. San Diego, what a city this is.

The gas lamp quarter, is its historic heart. Right by the stadium

here. When you go out at night it has a wonderful atmosphere. All of

the old-fashioned gas lamps are ng the streets and music coming out of

pretty much every bar. It's not a bad view.

The other two are saying when will you lend us the binoculars? ! It is

a strange stadium, the people at the far end, that is not a great view on

the side. That is quite high up. The left side of the picture, part

of the baseball stadium. The top tiers are not being used. There are

temporary stands around the other three sides.

Talking about the record for Young, probably on this surface any other,

that it is the most difficult to build confidence on. Other courts

you can serve, go for the shots but you have to orchestrate the points

so differently on clay. You need years of experience to feelgood on

it. Really, it is a completely different

art, isn't it, Ross. Moving on clay is so important? Absolutely. It is

all about patience on a clay-court. And Murray really learned that about

three or four years ago. We did some training camps in Barcelona. It was

getting back to basics. Don't go for the cheap shots. Build the points.

Get the long rallies. Get your mind used to playing long rallies. Use

the fitness, the spin and the court craft. He has done that superbly

today. With all that in mind, Ross, it is a

surface that should suit his game perfectly? It should. He was

training on clay when he was 15 and 16 in Barcelona.

And his game has improved huge amounts over the years. The last few

years it has. He slides so well these days. He rarely loses to

anyone other than Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer. He is so good. He is

so good as dispatching the lower ranks.

And I think his forehand is so good on play compared to what it used to

be. -- on clay compared to what it used

to be. There is Leon Smith, the British

captain. It is his ninth time as the captain.

He has a very good record so far. That's an example of the patience.

He is just digging it back somehow. Making you play one more ball. It

must be a nightmare over five sets as well. The surface, well, I still

don't see how everyone is calling this a fast clay-court. It does not

look fast at all. No, not at all. It looks slow and

heavy. The conditions are heavy as it is not that warm. The court also

looks heavy. Andy was saying it is faster than

Roland Garos. That is a fast clay-court.

Exactly. It looks like he is playing with

tough thoughts in his head. He is very frustrated over the last couple

of games. He feels like the match is getting away from him. He does not

really know how to count ir. -- How to counter.

What should young do to get back in the match? The problem is that he

has not got the weapons, that is the problem. Obviously if you are Jim

Courier, he is obviously going to exaggerate, to say that this is

going to work. To do this a little more. Go for a few more balls on the

forehand. Perhaps take chances. The problem is that the styles, the

match-up does not work on the surface here against Andy Murray.

Now what he is trying to do, it is under standable, he is trying to get

more on the serve, the hand. That is what you do do. Unfortunately, that

goes straight into the Murray trap here.

Two breaks in this second set. The young American has had a lot to

say for himself over the course of his career. He's chatting away again

there. He should keep his ears open and list on the what the man to his

left is going to say if he's to work his way back into this match. You

can Tweet us direct to the commentary box. Thank you for

getting in touch so far. A lot of you saying the clay looks dodgy. We

have talked about the temporary nature of this. They wouldn't be the

first, would they, to have problems laying down a temporary clay court?

They do need to give it that time to make it play in an ideal manner.

He's teaching Young a thing or so out here. Zach Johnson observes this

is very slow - "Glad Young is off the mark. Was beginning to feel a

little sorry for the guy." I don't think many are on the British bench

though. Murray is very professional in this

second set. Ar easy and making sure not to allow him back into the

third. Not to give him any confidence in the way he's playing.

It is a great shot on clay that one. Forehand there. More top spin. Just

really got that ball up nice and high. Got himself back into the

middle of the court. Murry being the smart person that he

is Murray being the smart person that

he is. Knowing the Davis Cup - a very

experienced player. This This could make a difference if

it goes to the end, if Murray continues to demolish him here.

Just shaking hands. Saying, you can have this match, I am fed up.

Incredible. Have a little look here. That's not

bad. That's decent.

What about this one? We don't get time to see it. It was decent. That

was very good. It was the left-handed defence.

It is one of your's. I was going to say one of Tim Henman. This is the

previous point - oh, there we go. Look at this!

A moment for locals to celebrate here.

Getting games on board for Young now. To make him feel he is in this

match, he's not really, but psychologically just get some on the

board. It must be noticeable from the side of the court - the British

support from the team, always standing up. There are a couple of

vocal voices. Matt Little and Colin Fleming often sitting down. Not much

noise. Not much support. I agree. I think it is a badly-spaced out crowd

any way, even if it was full. It is a strange court. For them, your

would have thought they would have known in advance. You want an

intimate court. You want it packed full and people screaming out there

for your team. At the moment, the atmosphere is not there. Obviously

their man is getting thumped at if moment. There are too many empty

spaces here. And playing the Davis Cup you feel

as though, well you are playing for your country. It is not just

yourself. On the tour he could be happy, not happy, he could sleep at

night - but the Davis Cup, you have the whole team, the nation playing

on your mind through every point. Fell for that one!

It is not just the quality of the shot, it is the anticipation.

He knew where this was going, didn't he? Picked it and goodbye!

It is almost like Murray asked the question by leaning his forehand

slightly short. Top four or five volleys on the

tour, Andy Murray? He would be. It is great to see him using it more

regularly the last 12 months. They have not played for an hour yet

and here are two set points for Murray to give Great Britain.

It may have just clipped the line. Yes, there it is. 2-0, Murray.

An xem lent start to this tie for great -- excellent start for this

tie for Great Britain. You still have to get the job done and Murray

is doing just that. A reminder that Britain have not beaten the USA in

the Davis Cup since 1935. What an opportunity for Britain to make some

history. It is the elite level of the World Cup of tennis, if you

like. It is where you want to be. Eight ties this weekend. Most of

them have finished play for the day and will guide guide you there them.

Tomas Berdych hitting back. The Czechs who have an amazing

record. Japan against Canada, 1-1 after the opening day.

Germany against Spain. Well, Spain do not have Nadal. They don't have

Ferrer. They don't have Malgragro either. Germany taking advantage,

leading 2-0 after the opening day of singles.

A mouth-watering tie on paper, France against Australia. A couple

of terrific finals around the turn of the sen issurery. Fraps in

charge. Australia give -- -- of the century. France in charge.

Wawrinka won the Australian Open, maybe he was disappointed at his

lack of recent press coverage. Needs to get back into the limelight.

Suddenly decided the last minute to play. That was a strange one. I

would love to find out why he decided to.

Let's face it, if they continue to play Davis Cup this year, they could

easily win it. A gold medallist in the doubles as

well. What a team! They could win it. I think Wawrinka in the last

couple of years has been a little bit annoyed at Federer not playing.

I think he felt the same way. I mean it is one thing that Roger

Federer has not won is the Davis Cup. That is right. Serbia out.

I like the way Novak Djokovic, he was exhausted after the tie and

pulled out. Exhausted. He's only just started the year!

Played no lead-up events before the Aussie. Needed a holiday.

Wouldn't it be something if Britain could get through this and take

their place in the quarter-finals. A long way to go, of course. We have

coverage across the weekend. The doubles tomorrow. Reverse singles on

Sunday. 8pm we'll be on the air tomorrow. A later start for the

doubles match. Donald Young just returning after a

bathroom break. Courier is not looking so cool as he

was at the start of play. Kyle Edmund, his time will

THE COMMENTATOR: . -- Kyle Edmund, his time will come.

A talent for the future. You have trained with him, I know,

Kyle Edmund, out in your Florida boot camp. He works well? He works

well. Not only that, he has a big game. He hits the ball very hard.

He actually plays most of his tennis on the red clay. Played challenges

last year on the clay. We did our Miami training with Andy, karl and

myself on the hard courts. It was good for him. Andy was saying it is

good to be not too distant from the hard.

A point there for Young. A good forehappened there. Nice and high.

Gets that short ball there from Murray. Good instincts to get

forward there. Likes to be closer to the net, mind you. Got away with it.

One shot that Murray seem seems not to use so much is the drop shot. He

used to use it so often. Every big point, it used to be Andy would hit

the drop shot and often do it well. Young quoung would have felt --

Young would have felt confident. A big occasion, on the big Centre

Court. Would have used those memories

pre-match and talked to Jim Courier about those memories and how he

played well and how his tactics worked. It is a far different story

so far. Murray really focussed on making sure he's 100% fit and ready

mentally for this match. It is a bad surface match up for him

too. On the hard courts where he can get a few cheaper winners here and

there. He can explode a bit on that forehand and get behind Murray a

couple of times here and there. On the clay Murray tracks everything

down. So tough for him to get any penetration on these ground strokes.

What was your debut match, John? Do you remember? I don't think any of

us can - it's too far back! I'll look it up, as they say!

Oh, dear, I have put p John Lloyd into the website and it says "Sorry,

no results have been found! " It doesn't go back that far - is that

what you are trying to say in a nice way.

Young steps it up. Now is as good a time as any! That is what you were

saying pre-match. Young has to go up there and swing. Get rid of the

nerves, let lose. He has nothing to lose.

As soon as young thought he'd got a glimpse of confidence, oh I am

playing well again, Murray comes out with two well constructed point.

Nothing can go wrong with it. Beautifully produced.

I think that is a good play though from Young. I know he missed that.

Every time he gets a second serve from Murray he has to be aggressive

and go at him. That is the best chance he's got of going ahead in

the rally - doing something. 1-1 in the third set. I think I have

found out why you cannot remember your Davis Cup debut. Lost 5-0 to

Egypt. It was a nightmare I was banished from my thought. You lost a

couple of guys I have never heard of, out in Cairo in 1971. It was

hot! Suffice to say your career went upwards from there.

This one here, he has been doing so well with that during the match.

That one went on the service line. A chance for Young to swing hard.

That return is pure quality. A big first serve using the squash shot

forehand and replacing it on the baseline.

Two sets and a break. Andy Murray in firm charge in the opening of this

Davis Cup tie. Quite a tradition, as Ross and John will know all too well

s the laugh a minute official dinner, which you have to go to on

the eve of the tie. A few pictures are swirling around the internet and

papers. You may have seen it of the two teams lining up. Britain looking

very smart in their suits. The question was posed by one of the

newspapers - is this the scuffyiest team in sport? This is why - have a

look at this! Now, that is Britain on the left.

Now, come on America! You can do better than that! This is the

official Davis Cup dinner we are talking about!

What is all that about, Ross! ? You could teach them a lesson on

elegance. Some in jeans. Hands everywhere.

My, gosh clam GB team looking immense.

It is surprising when their captain is so passionate about wearing a

suit, he didn't get his players in them.

Beautiful from Murray, taking it on nice and early. Sweet timing.

Showing Young. He hit that ball, returned hard, but in the wrong

direction. Into the Hything zone there of Murray's -- into the

hitting zone there of Murray's. He's not thinking. He's panicking.

At what point do you think Jim Courier could say, you are not going

to win this match, let's get some good feelings for Sunday? It is not

looking good. It could come down to a big match. That will be on

Courier's mind. No question. He would not have expected Donald

Young to have won this match, but he would have expected this to have

been closer. Some great forehands there. That

first from Murray was four feet behind the baseline and high.

Managed to generate so much pace and put Young on the defensive and then

follow in with it. Another big forehand.

It is a far more positive attitude from Young.

Serve out wide and then you crush the next ball - we haven't seen that

from Young today. That is typical Murray. He said to

me a few years ago, you p don't always have to hit winners in tennis

because players make errors when they move. There is a prime example

- always keeping your opponent on a string. A great tip that.

I am going to write that down. Oh! Super speed reactions for

Murray. That is OK. It's the Davis Cup. Take

that. It was going wide, wasn't it? I

think that the tape brought it back in.

Sorry, mate. Not your day! Gutsy play from the American player.

He needed that. Much better from Donald Young

towards the end of that game. Well played!

There Donald Young was laughing and smiling a bit. A little bit of

encouragement. You can see the way that Jim Courier reacted when he won

that game. He is still down, but anything now to just give him a

little bit of positive news out here.

What was it like playing that Davis Cup final, John, in 1978? You played

John McEnroe, didn't you? That was not a pleasant memory. He was a

little too good to put it mildly. When I played it was about 80

degrees. By the time we finished a match, it was about 3.30pm, 4.00pm,

when the sun went down over the mountains, it was suddenly by 6.00pm

freezing cold. People were wearing fur coats, you were allowed to in

those days, and blankets and it went on in about midnight. A great

atmosphere but they were a bit too good for us that day.

Do you think we will see the day when Britain plays the final of the

Davis Cup again? If Murray plays. You can, almost against any team,

apart from Spain away, or maybe Serbia away on clay, perhaps, Murray

can going to win on two singles. You only have to win one more match and

you win the tie. We have great doubles. Andy would be top five in

the world, if he played. So why not? Did you used to play all games? I

played it at some times. It was tough, but sometimes you just did

it. That was definitely long. Donald

Young has not seen this sort of situation. Two break points on the

Murray serve. The first of the match. He is looking enthused, isn't

he? I thought he was going to lose that point with the drop-shot. Young

was under it quickly. He anticipated it this one. That was unbelievable.

A half volley lob. Whatever you call that. A half ground stroke lob.

He obviously feels there has not been enough tension in this match!

So close. Yeah, it looked good when it pinged

off Young's racket. Oh, he has given it. He scuffed the mark with his

shoe. The international sign of it is in.

What a return that was. A heck of a serve from Murray.

That was definitely the best passage of tennis from Young in the last two

or three games. He can play with a bit of freedom.

He is more loose. Was it a wrong-footing tactic that

on clay? Absolutely. Because of the movement, you are sliding one way,

you have to move back the other way. The best clay-court players know

when to use the back behind wrong-footing shot.

Andy Murray will be desperate to put this game to bed.

He was looking for a quick-fix on the last forehand. He knows if he

can play solid for a couple of more games, he should be OK.

A big serve. There is a heavy atmosphere out there.

He is cranking it up. Young had a couple of break points

but still could not get it done. Two games away now from putting

Britain in front in this tie. James Ward against Sam Querrey to

follow. Querrey is the USA number one in the tie, after John Isner

pulled out. Isner has had some terrible trouble

lately, Ross? He has had knee trouble. This time ankle trouble. He

picked up the injury in Perth at the Hopman Cup. He said he was in pain

in the match. He had to pull out of the first-round match of the

Australian Open, having lost the first two sets.

And you actually saw him hobble on to the court for that match, didn't

you? I did. And off the court. I was in the gym that you have to walk

past as you walk back from the outside court. He could hardly walk.

I looked at my coach, on the bench, I thought, there was no way he would

be ready next week. Even though he won that title in

Auckland, you have to wonder why he played that tournament? So often,

that is actually John Isner's girlfriend on the left. Often we see

a top player. He is a top player. He is name is always in the running for

the hard core events, dangerous opponent. He miss the week before.

So if you make the final of Auckland, that Isner did, you play

on the Sunday. If you have a dodgy ankle that means

trouble. Trouble here for Donald Young. A sixth double fault.

This really couldn't have gone much better for Andy Murray.

Andy Murray has done well here. He is looking in really good shape.

He plays so well. He could be a top five doubles player without a

question. Well Donald Young hangs on. At least

he has not capitulated in the third set. If you look at his career

record it is not the best at suggesting he has the stomach for a

fight, let's put it that way. There are some things in tennis you

don't look so deep into, but playing in a five-set match, you want to

know the statistics. If you go two sets up against Young, how does he

react? It fills you with confidence to start strong. Murray does not

need anymore confidence, having played away in the USA but he knows

this for sure. And John, as captain of the Davis

Cup team, I suppose you cannot help but look ahead. The tie could come

down to the fifth and the final rubber, that would involve Donald

Young, if it came to it. So if you are in Leon Smith's shoes, you are

feeling positive? You are feeling very happy right now. Absolutely.

That's the format of the World Group this year.

It is simple, the Davis Cup when you look at it at the World Group there.

It is not normally one team you expect can make their way through.

Canadian last year, Kazakhstan in the previous years. It is not always

the big teams. Oh! Well, he almost got away with

that, Young. The first approach shot was suicidal on the first one. He

somehow got away with it. This one here, he was way too far to come

back in. He was hitting a half volley from there.

He actually flicked a good shot. Murray had to hit a heck of a

passing shot to get away with that. Young has more confidence. He is

trusting his forehand. If he doesn't hit the forehand, he is limited. As

you said, he is one-dimensional, but when he does release, he has some

pop. That's the forehand we were talking

about. So many times in the past, Murray chose the backhand. Now he is

explosive anywhere on the court. One new edition to the Andy Murray

schedule. Staying on to play on clay in Mexico.

It has been changed this year for the first time. They changed it to

get more players like Andy Murray. There you go.

Just a brilliant point. He is manoeuvring Young all over the

place. He is so accurate. That is difficult. You are sliding

one way, the ball is passing you on the other side.

Well, Andy Murray, you could fancy on any softwares. Two points from

victory. A beautiful sequence. The forehands

from Andy Murray. To bring up match point.

That will do! He played one of those earlier in the match, didn't he?

That really could not have gone better for Andy Murray. 6-1, 6-2,

6-3. A expensive demolition of Donald Young. With el, he was gutsy

in the third set. He did not let Andy Murray run away with it, but

Murray, showed his class out there. So professional. The way he came up

against a Davis Cup rookie. He did not allow him time to settle. It was

not like he would feel his way in. It was business from the first point

to try to get through to Donald Young here. To put doubts in his

mind. He is smiling now. He got through the match, but his

confidence will have been dented by this. Andy Murray would, frankly,

apart from doing the rubber, if it goes to the rubber, it would have

knocked the stuffing out of Donald Young's confidence.

Interesting to see Jim Courier to crack a smile. That was smart. To

make him feel he is still a part of the team. Not to worry about that.

That he has a big role to play on Sunday. Let's get over it and look

ahead. Now he is off to read the news. That is what he looks like.

Straight sets win for Andy Murray. That will delight many of the

British fans who have travelled to San Diego. Just what they wanted. An

hour-and-a-half of brilliance from Andy Murray. Certainly silencing the

American fans and demoralising Donald Young. He has two days to

think about a crucial singles match on Sunday? Exactly. What a start for

Great Britain. For Andy Murray. It is what Leon Smith would have wanted

to. Have a run out. To have a tester but to be comfortable. To be

convincing. To demoralise and abolish all confidence from the

American player. And he will have to play again as the Americans selected

two singles and two doubles players. Yes, you worry. That is the danger

with two doubles players. If there injury, it can work against you. But

he got through it. For Andy, he came out so business-like. For the first

two games he dictated the match? He played a superb clay-court tennis

match. Constructing the points. Attacking, moving well. You never

know when you have not played clay-court tennis. Andy only played

one match on clay since last year, the two matches, sorry. So not much

clay-court tennis. Just five days of practise. Yet look how he is moving.

Playing so well. And when the rallies are extended he is in

control. Controlling the middle of the court. And when defending he is

moving well. Against players like young Querrey, he plays superior,

and Young, he played so well today. And you know how much the back has

been an issue for Andy Murray. How difficult the year has been for him.

It must have been a worry going back on to the clay courts? It was. That

is what the American team were hoping. That it was an issue, the

back. It was not a guarantee that Andy Murray would be fit. He started

slowly. Training on the hard court so it was better for the back.

Training, hoping that he would be there in San Diego but we shall see,

but Australia was key. Getting through it safely. Playing a tough

match against Roger Federer. Now he is here. Looking as good as new.

Moving well. Some tension but the physios will work hard tonight. That

is for sure. He probably spends more time getting

treatment after, than being on court.

He does. But a great start. Let's show you

some of the points that Andy delivered early on.

We wanted him to make a great start, but boy, not giving Young any time

to even think about a game plan. He is so experienced on the Davis

Cup situation, he knew the value of putting Young down early on. We

talked that when the rallies go deep, Andy Murray uses his forehand

90% of the time. That is when you know that he is in for a tough day

for his opponent. He controlled the middle of the court well.

Anticipation for Andy Murray is the key to him, but he has looked in

great form. He played very well. You wonder how the first couple of sets

of a match will be, when you have nod played on a surface, but the

whole court game was stunning today and more to look forward to in the

next few days. What a point this was. The break

point. The dop-shot. You think, what is going to happen now? He was

playing with him. It is a sign of his class. When

Young played better, Andy was able to respond. He played the match in

second or third gear. Here Young started to play better. Andy Murray

flipped into another gear. Stepping up again. He was really, really up

for the snatch. He gave Young no chance to come back.

The perfect start for Great Britain. Let's hear from Andy. He is talking

to Russell. Very, very well played. A fabulous

start for you, and a dream start for Great Britain? It is important to

get off to a good start. The two singles matches, I am going in as

favourite, Sam is against James. So it puts the pressure on Sam a lot to

play a good match. James, hopefully, he can play a little bit more

freely. It was a good start. There have been concerns about the

court in the build-up. Seeming slower than anticipated. How did you

find it? Was it easy to keep your footing? It is slippy. Tough to

change the directions, but the conditions, it has been raining in

the evening. It will is cold. There is a lot of cloud cover. So the

court will play slower because of that. It is a little more damp. The

first few days we were here, the sun was out. It was dry. The court was

uncomfortable to move on. So the conditions like this help it.

I know you will chat with the captain but is your expectation to

play the doubles with Colin Fleming tomorrow? We will have to see. The

captain, the team will be involved in the discussion. To see the best

way forward. A little depends on the next match as well. That can

influence things. So we will have to wait and see.

A bit of pressure on Sam Querrey. James Ward has shown in Davis Cup

over the last three or four years he can be a feisty competitor? Yeah.

Like I say, a lot of the times he goes into the matches as the

underdog. He has played some big matches in the Davis Cup. So

hopefully, he has practised well in the last couple of days. I hope he

puts on a good performance. A great start, Andy. Go and join the

team. Gosh, it does not even look like he

has had a warm-up. He said cold, he should be here. It is nice

conditions in some way, but what a great start. Talking to Ross there.

He did not put a foot wrong. Well, he gets the balls, after a

while Donald Young ran out of ideas. He did not know what to do. It was a

crushing performance by Andy Murray. He got in and did not let him get

ahead. It must have been crushing for Donald Young in the first Davis

Cup rubber. You know what it is like being in

the team competition. It is the team spirit. He has given the team the

perfect start? Absolutely. And James Ward, the number one player, he has

gone out and won three straight sets. Now this is almost a free

match. Leon Smith at the start, in the back of his mind, he did not

think that James Ward would beat Sam Querrey. Obviously he has a chance

but this is a bonus match. James Ward is a good Davis Cup player. A

good record. No reason he can't take on Sam Querrey. Two big fellows. Sam

Querrey will be nervous, if he loses the match the tie is over. The

pressure switches. This is what makes the Davis Cup fun.

I always wanted to play first in the teem event. I did not like the wait

in the locker room. How is James as a competitor? He will be fine. He is

experienced. It is tougher for Sam Querrey. He has just watched his

fellow countryman take a defeat. Now he is playing against a guy he knows

is dangerous. James Ward is a dangerous player with a good Davis

Cup record. James has beaten him in the past. So a tough match for Sam

Querrey now. He will have to use his experience to start well. To lift

the crowd back up. To lift the team-mates back up. Querrey will

have to work harder. Against a pairing like Andy Murray and Young,

he may have expected more but for Sam Querrey, it is a must-win match

otherwise the tie is over. It will be hard for Jim Courier to

build Donald Young up again. He was demolished out on court that is hard

to take? That is when Jim Courier, if it comes to the fifth, that is

where he earns his money. He will tell you are playing someone

slightly different if it comes to the fifth, but the confidence will

have been dented after that performance. Andy Murray played

great but Donald Young did not play well. He was nervous. Not moving

well. The game plan was not good. They will have to do the chatting to

get him back up again. It hasn't happened, but there is

immense pressure on those sort of players when you get it so young. We

have seen it so many, many times before. It didn't happen for him. He

is very enclosed. His mother, who coaches him, does not let him mingle

with many players. In his mind he's very much an outsider. Bursting into

this big tie in the world group - it was a bit much for him in this

opening match. That is one reason he started so poorly. It would have

been tough. Having beaten Murray before, he would have had confidence

going into the match. The whole atmosphere seemed to get too much.

It was not that noisy there. It was not too overbearing. He seemed to

struggle out there. That is more positive news for the British camp

and forward Ward, who will not look forward to Sunday because he has a

big match now. Nothing to be scared of this weekend. He has the feel

against Young. Leon Smith will know that. He is very good Leon Smith and

has a good relationship with James Ward. All looking good so far for

the Brits. Ward will be ready. He's, as Andy said, practiced all week. I

have heard that news from the camp - practiced superbly all week. It is

tough when you play your first Davis Cup event. When you hear - we didn't

hear it very often - going to the United States, but when you are

representing a country that is not game young - it is a different

experiencing. There's nothing like it. I still think the Davis Cup,

particularly to win a fifth rub ser the toughest thing in sport, other

-- fifth rubber is the toughest thing in sport, other than... It is

pretty nasty it is fun to watch, but not to play it. Talking of fun,

we'll have some fun here because your best mate Andy Murray, he was

on social media, he was replying to a tweet, where he hinted that he and

his girlfriend may get married after Wimbledon. This is what he had to

say after that. We'll have to wait and see. Maybe in the next couple of

years. I hope that people now I would not announce when I am getting

engaged or getting married on Twitter or on TV. Kim might be the

first to know? And my family would know first. I am not sure I would be

releasing it to the press - that's for sure. Oh, an awkward moment! You

cannot have a joke on Twitter, can you? It reminds me of a couple of

years ago, we were at dinner having a pizza. We announced I would be his

next coach. Everyone was jumping on. That as if I, a 24-year-old person,

a friend of his, would be coaching the world number four. Everyone

brought that as well! I am sure they will get married very soon. They are

a great couple. You would know better than anyone. Kim is a great

girl and it will happen. I am not sure that Twitter would know before

Kim. Exactly. They are not rushing into it, are they? They are very

happy. They have been together how long? Eight years? They are very

happy. They have the two dogs, as you saw when you did the

documentary. It will happen in future - that's for sure. Andy

enjoys Twitter, doesn't he? In future we have to know he is often

sarcastic. He's learnt a lesson - that is for sure! A light moment as

well, another Davis Cup match taking place is Switzerland, they are

taking on Serbia. Wawrinka and Federer made a late

decision to turn up. A very funny moment. They are on the right of the

photo here. Oh, sorry, Stan, you may have won the Australian Open, but

that is one way to stop you being the number one! Elbowed him in the

eye. Took him down a level! It is interesting. Roger isn't even the

number one Swiss right now. What a team! I am so glad he's playing the

match. If he commits they could win the Davis Cup. Is there anything

else that Roger Federer has not won, other than the Davis Cup? Maybe a

gold medal and the singles - why not go for it Has not played since 2012.

Had to be encouraged to play. He has a great relationship with his

captain who travels with him a lot of the time. I was fascinated to see

his name pop up on the list and Djokovic drop out. It is interesting

to see why he is playing this match. It is almost he wants to play with

Wawrinka. Yes, he might want to win. They will win any way without

Federer. I think he may want to stay with Stan and not lose too much of

the bragging rights or the media coverage maybe. You were right

talking about that in commentary. Roger will make the news when he is

there. Let's look at the world group draw. That match between Switzerland

and Serbia, that is at the bottom. Serbia, no Djokovic.

At the top, the holders, the Czech Republic - 1-1 in their match. We

will keep a close eye on Argentina against Italy. The winner of this

match will face Argentina at home, Italy away. That will be in April.

The losers play in September. Kazakhstan are two up. It is

interesting that Great Britain are the lowest rank team - 18. It is all

done on former matches. Of course Andy has not played all of them, I

guess. No, he has not played that many in the past. They did well

without him. Evans did well. Edmund was ready the last, playing

well. The Spanish - no Nadal, no Ferrer. They are play playing - so a

tough start in charge. Looking back to Andy, he's the forefront of the

British team. A very strong player and started us off so well there.

You were his hitting partner, wornt you, down at thes of -- wrpt you,

down at the -- weren't you, down at the Aussie? I made sure he was

covered. I wanted to take Lendl's place. He does not hit it well these

days. I want you to say that to his face one day! He's often asking me

to hit with him. I wonder why he doesn't hit more. We joke about who

would win on the singles court. Lendl always say, give me a few

weeks on the clay and then we'll have a match. He wants to shed the

weight a little bit. He hits a sweet ball. What is great to see when he's

around is how he controls Murray's sessions. He is the dominant force.

In the past Andy says what he wants to do, but p Lendl commands how Andy

should -- but Lendl commands how Andy should play.

He thought he would beat him easily. Lendl is such a competitor. I saw

video footage. Every day, he pretty much plays golf. Every day, half an

hour straight. In Miami, when we were training a couple of months ago

with Murray - have you ever used the vertical climber. Half an hour

straight every day, which is what he does. He's in some serious shape. I

never saw him when he was playing. I heard he trained very hard. He has

that mind over matter sense in his mind. Jez is in good shape as well

and often takes the sessions with us and trains hard. A great effort and

great player. Why did you look at John and say, do you use the

climber? The cross trainer is as far as I'll go. That is for sure! We

have plenty coming up over the weekend. Plenty of sport on the BBC.

Of course we have James Ward coming up later on. We'll be back tomorrow

for the all-important doubles. We hope that Andy Murray will be

playing in that up against the Bryan brothers. That will be crucial. We

start live at 8pm. Over on BBC Two, if it continues, from 11pm. I say it

is James Ward coming up. That is what we are staying for. Football

Focus tomorrow, that is live from mid-day on BBC One. Live from

Goodison Park. And then we have a big weekend of rugby coming up.

February kicks off tomorrow and so does the Six Nations. All the

matches on Saturday. The holders, Wales, against Italy at 2pm. Then

live from Paris, it is France against England. What a mouth

watering Six Nations opener that is. We'll be there on Sunday for Ireland

against Scotland. The first weekend of the Six Nations gets under way.

That is all on BBC One. Back to this match and of course

plenty of pressure on the players but also on the captain, Leon Smith.

A great record out of the eight matches he's been in charge since

2010. He's won seven of them. Let's hear from him. We have two

established players out with Andy. We've had a great of -- group of

players with James Ward and Evans, who have done well for us in the

Davis Cup and beaten highly-ranked players. We had Kyle Edmund, brought

into the team, because he's an up and coming player. He has a very

bright future in tennis. Having got everyone together, looking at the

court, the way it is playing and in the Davis Cup looking at the

match-ups as well, I think that is what James got the slight nod over

Kyle, over the nod-ups. I was looking forward to seeing Kyle

Edmund play. When you look at the court, that it is quicker. He

expected it to be a slower clay court. Kyle has won a couple of

tournaments in America. He has gone for the experience. I think it was

more the fact that when Isner pulled out. If Isner had played, I think he

would have put Kyle Edmund in. Logically speaking, he would have

gone into this match if Isner was playing thinking he would have to

win. The two singles with Andy Murray and the doubles. The number

two was probably going to lose. Once Donald Young came in, now his

thought changes. He thinks they can win that match and James Ward has

had experience in the Davis Cup. Kyle Edmund, as much as he is

promising, we don't know how he'll react. You have to give James Ward a

chance because he has a good record. It was the right decision he made.

Absolutely right. We saw with Donald Young, he was intimidated. Let's

talk about James and his gutsiness. He showed that in Russia. He was on

court for seven hours for his two singles. He played superbly in

Coventry. 32 aces in this match against the player who is now, six

months later, the top 30 of the world. A fantastic win forward Ward.

Had some big wins in the past and really led the team. Smith, without

Andy Murray, so fantastic Davis Cup player award. Really raised his game

well. Has so much passion for the sport when it comes to the Davis

Cup. He was going to come to actually Miami to train with us. He

went to Australia to prepare for the Australian Open. Put in a good

preseason - playing well again. And the match-ups, as John said, works

well. Strong backhand likes to play players like Querrey. The match-ups

are key. A great decision and helped a lot for Smith, once Isner pulled

out. It is interesting, you talk about the fitness level and how he

is working harder because the likes of Murray - all of them, Nadal, they

set such a high bar of fitness getting through five sets. Seven

hours on court. He had to go to hospital. He was on a drip for a few

hours because he was giving so much. Well, he really works hard in the

Davis Cup. When Andy Murray is in the Davis Cup matches, when someone

like Ward and Edmund, see the professionalism that Andy Murray

brings to the tame r table and his fitness -- to the table and his

fitness levels, James Ward, he is young enough, he has to realise you

keep it up to the height if you want to get into that top 100. The Davis

Cup has always been that springboard for him to do well afterwards. If he

can win this or the tie, can you imagine what it would do for his

confidence? The relationship between Murray and Ward has been good. Now

they are close and practicing together, spending time together,

inviting him to come to Miami to train. It is blossoming in terms of

him trying to help him. It is rubbing off on James. James is

training hard. He is working hard, playing his best tennis of his life.

He had a tough match, but playing better. It is because he's strong.

He is working a new coach in Australia. It is looking good for

James. To put it into a Davis Cup situation, we will see shortly.

Hopefully it will proof to be success -- prove to be successful

for GB. Can he continue it for the other parts of the year? Maybe he

has to look at this Davis Cup as being in the World Cup and he was

helping Great Britain get there. This is a huge step for him if he

can get on Andy Murray's coat-tails to take himself up with the

publicity and being out in big-court situations. Absolutely. James over

the years he's been sort of strange in the way he likes to practise. He

likes to do it a certain way. He wasn't a great listener with

coaches. When you have Andy Murray in the Davis Cup, I think that will

rub off. You have got to be open to different things. You have got to

change your game. You cannot just do one way of training. With Ward, he

needs to do something different, be more versatile to go up the ladder.

He can do it though. He has done it as far as beating Sam Querrey. He

did it at Queens a few years ago. Not on the main court, on the

outside court, but boy, 6-4 in the third. A big server and that is a

scalp because Sam had won the tournament at Queens. A couple over

big players. Big serves and well James is on court against Sam again.

Let's hear his thoughts on the Davis Cup.

You played a lot of Davis Cup in ties in the past when you have not

played in such glamorous surroundings r, how is it for you to

be in the competition for real? Everyone has worked here so hard. I

have been here since Leon started, back in Eastbourne, where it was not

so glamorous a venue. We have worked hard for four years. It will be nice

to get the rewards for the hard work we have gone through in the last few

years. You know, it doesn't matter where it happened or whatever -

having a win against a player you come in with a psychological

advantage, don't you? We said that with Young against Murray. He would

have been feeling better. It is different when you play against Andy

Murray. In this situation Ward will feel confident. He will think,

strong memories, her has beaten good players, the match-up works well.

There is a clear game style in which Leon Smith would put forward.

They do video analysis. It is something I was involved in during

the last two ties. You see footage of what has been success until the

past. You reminisce about it. Ward will have that in his mind and he

will be ready to play. It will feel good going out there and following

Andy Murray after that great win he's just had. He will feel

confident. Leon Smith will be relaxed. They are good together on

the court. They feel very confident. It will be interesting seeing that

and the players are on court. The captain is giving them their pep

talk. Querrey against Ward. Let's face it, Querrey is not known as a

clay court specialist, is he? He's another one of these that there's

more expected of him which has come out. He's had the weapons in his

game. He is not very good defensively. Mentally he goes in

dips in matches. He has been disappointing. In the States they

thought he would be a top-ten player. It has not worked out that

way. He is still young. Perhaps it will help him if he can play well.

He is one-dimensional at times. Also, just looking at the betting

for this - it is 7-1 on for Querrey to win. 4-1, James Ward. I think

James has a better chance than that. . I do too. It is 30% chance. I

think he has a good chance. Who knows out here - on the clay,

following Andy Murray, feeling good. I think he's got a good shot here.

Yes, the pressure is off him. That will help James. He is feeling good.

His form is good. He is moving well. He will be wanting to go out there,

to prove a point. You cannot underestimate how big a boost it was

to get selected over him. For James to get the nod from the captain,

like, you are my number two player, go out and prove to me why I

selected you. Querrey, the number one now, as the American, ranked 49

in the world. It is unbelievable! It is amazing.

We talk about him in Britain and we have had that argument for years and

obviously Andy Murray came along N the States, they are crucifying the

people about why the American tennis is so bad in comparison to what it

used to be. I know Patrick McEnroe is in charge of the programme. They

are getting a lot of scrutiny at the moment. It is not good enough for a

nation that big and with tennis that popular that they are not producing

at the moment. A great Davis Cup record there. Out of his seven

appearance appearances, won eight, lost five. Wins are wins, aren't

they? Wins are wins. You cannot underestimate the value. It is huge

to know you are going out there - the nerves - you deal with the

pressure well. You are either a good Davis Cup player or you struggle.

You get labelled and rightly so, because it is a special art. John

knows as well as anyone, what it the like to go out there and play for

your country and play these big matches whether in Lithuania, Egypt

and now against America. It all comes under the same bracket -

daifts cup, wearing GB on your back and trying to put a point on for the

team. He loves to have a voice in his ear in the corner, in the

changeover and he will relish this chance today to take on a better

opponent. Jim Courier - this will be a must-win match for him and the

United States. When we heard from Leon Smith talking about the

practise sessions, kiel and James had a -- Kyle and James had a match

against each other. He said James has been playing incredibly well in

practise. That is important in a build-up to a match. No question!

He'll be encouraged by his record. James Ward has won his matches in a

lower division. He had a great win last year against Russia. You can

not do more than that. He has won eight out of 13 singles. He's more

experienced in Davis Cup than Sam Querrey. OK, he has played in the

World Cup. The Davis Cup, there is something special, you either play

well or you don't. Sam Querrey has got a losing record in Davis Cup. He

has obviously gone up against better players. They are still losses and

psychologically that is big. It is unfair asking you this, you want to

get back in the team, but as a captain, his record is amazing.

Seven wins, one loss. No-one knew, other than he was involved with Andy

early on, what his background was and what he could deliver. He's done

superbly. One thing he's been adamant is team atmosphere. It is

preparation. It is build a team bond, a unity. Right back at the

start of his first match, before the first tie that he was in charge of,

he put a montage together of the vision, of what he wanted. He didn't

put a time limit. It is a vision for the team. It was to get back to the

world group. We were in Division Three. A poor division. We suffer

some tough matches. Yes, we lost some matches we probably should

have. It was tough and we had to get back up there. We had to accept

where we were. We built it up. Now, they have done some great wins. This

tie, against the States, this is a mouth-watering tie. It is one

everyone has looked forward to since we beat Croatia in September.

Everyone love loves it - it has an incredible history. When we talk

about Leon Smith and I think we will see a different Leon Smith here

because James Ward relies on him and so different from any other tennis

match that you play, to be able to talk to. He knows Andy so well. Leon

and James go back a long way on the courts and they know each other very

well. He knows what to say. He will help him a big way today. James will

play well. I am looking forward to this match. They are starting. If

you want to get in touch, you can. There are many ways, I have ya our

website. That is the address: You can hashtag us or via the Facebook

page as well. Here we go. The second match,

Querrey against Ward. Let's re rejoin John and Jonathan.

Sam Querrey, been as high as 17 in the world.

A big power game based around that serve and forehand combination.

James Ward may be down as 175 on the list. E-I can tell you, he is qui --

I can tell you, he is quietly confident ahead of this.

There's going to be no doubt about his tactic today, target that Sam

Querrey backhand. Ward po sezs a solid -- possesses a

solid backhand himself. That is a point constructed on the

tactics board. He'll be happy if, James Ward will be happy if he

targets it to cross the court. He'll like that pattern.

He does possess some cheap points, as does James Ward.

He does have big first serves. . I can't help thinking, watching

the crowd here, Ross, about what a mistake this was for the Us to put

this venue on here. Normally the atmosphere is unbelievable, it helps

the home support, but it me it feels like there is nothing going on out

there. Such a small crowd. It is like they are too far from the

court. And there is very little atmosphere for a Davis Cup match. It

is a big mistake the venue that they have chosen. Nice to look at and San

Diego is a lovely city but not a great place for a passionate

audience. That is one of the big advantages for a home match.

I am in disbelief, John. I can't belief they anticipated that they

are going to get, clearly with the amount of seats in the stadium, it

is up to 8,000 but they have a couple of thousand and. And it looks

empty. And that is before the Super Bowl.

When you are first drawn as a home tie, you think of the surface, what

is beneficial for the team and where can the crowds fill the stadium,

where to get the best support? Clearly they have missed a trick

here. It is about a quarter full. If that.

A little nervus, maybe, James Ward. A bit of a breeze out there as well.

-- nervous. Ward, quite like Andy Murray, he

will want to extend the rallies against Querrey. He is a big-hitting

player. He relies on the serve, as we witnessed in the last game, but

Ward will like to extend the rallies, 10, 15 shots, use his

experience on the clay. That was a bad mistake there. He

pulled off that forehand. It did not look comfortable.

A good serve. He trained for a couple of years at the academy at

value -- Valencia. You need good work ethic to impress the pan yards!

-- Spaniards. It's going to be a long afternoon

for James Ward, if he cannot win the exchange of back hndz. It is Ward's

strength and Querrey's relative weakness.

A terrific performance in the Davis Cup last year for Ward war. In

Coventry, Britain beat Russia. An amazing comeback win. From 2 down on

the tie. Interestingly, Ross, he shares

coaches with the Russian he played and beat there. .

Yes, he is a wild one. He trains hard, but he is a bit wacky, a bit

crazy. James finds him funny, but ultimately they train hard together.

It has helped James to get in good shape.

His feet have not settled. I agree. He is a little bit tight.

That is the beauty of Davis Cup. It is the best of five.

Well, Querrey is in control in the early stages.

P-0 with a break. Seven career titles to his name. Including on the

clay in Belgrade, Serbia, in 2010. That year he won tournaments on all

four surfaces. Belgrade on the clay, he won Queen's that year on the

grass. Memphis Indoors and Los Angeles on the outdoor hard.

And he beat Andy Murray in Los Angeles. Another Goodwin there for

Querrey. This year, though, only the second

round in Brisbane. The first round in Sydney.

He lost to Albert Ramos. And in the third round, he beat Gulbis in the

second round. A decent scalp. He lost to Fognini in the third round.

There is a big Gulf in the class really on paper, I think? There is.

And experience on the big, big level. On the tour event level, but

not so much in the Davis Cup. There is a big Gulf in class, but the

match-ups work well for Ward. He should take confidence going into

the match, but ultimately they have played two different careers and

schedules for the last five years. Querrey will feel like there is more

from him to come. That's a very simple way that Ward

can start to work his way back into the match. Using that effective 1-2

punch. Served out wide on the 45 degree

angle on the backhand cross-court. That's the example of not really

getting his feet right. It was not that difficult a shot. It looked

like he was late getting down to the ball.

As we said with Donald Young, when he was struggling in the opening

sets. Go back to the basics. Do what you know well. Use your serves and

strengths. Don't go for the risky shots. Try to play yourself into the

court. Way too many unforced errors at the

moment from James Ward. He has to settle here.

Querrey has put a lot of balls in but not really done too much that is

so special so far. Overall, I think, it is a long way

to go. John Blonde is the second umpire of

the match. That was a good overall. Break point again for the United

States. It is almost a carbon copy of the

opening match. One player settling, doing the basics, using their

experience. The other player struggling. With a lot of

uncharacteristic errors. Yes, some of the backhands not even

making the top of the net. That is unusual. He is flat on the ground

Stokes, James Ward but normally more consistent than this. He is in the

moment, he is feeling the pressure. I also think that Ward should slow

it down between the points. Querrey is a quick player. Ward is missing a

ball, then going to the next point. He needs to slow it up a little bit.

He needs to do something to stop this momentum.

That's the problem when you play Sam Querrey. When you are behind in a

set it is very hard to get back into it. He has the availability to hold

the serve so comfortably. He has proved that. 5-0.

It is almost like a hard court match. He has taken the ball on.

Short rallies. Dominating with the serve and backing it up.

Unfortunately James Ward at the moment, has not got his teeth into

it. He is not forcing him back. He is not getting enough balls back to

worry him. It is quick-fire tennis. One is on fire, the other is

certainly not. The tactics before the match from

the captain would have been Serb well, James. Rally with the

backhand. Play tight tennis. Play intense, no errors. Put your tactics

forward but he has not. He has made a lot of errors on the backhand.

That is a recipe for disaster to open up the match.

There an aerial view of the Petco Park in San Diego. We said at the

start we hoped it would fill up, but it does not look like that is going

to be the case. It is an all-round disappoint, you would think for the

US Tennis Association. Now a lot of you are getting in touch with us.

Tweets coming in, talking about the empty stadium. The choice of it.

The thing is, guys, you don't ever feel if this match got close, say,

on Sunday, that there would be a jumping atmosphere. We are seeing

empty seats but the people in the seats, they are looking like they

are settling in for the week. That's right! They are not jumping

around. The crowd can't take part in these

matches when it is tight. I remember last year, at Del Ray Beach. They

are the Williams sisters, there were 2,000 people there in a 4,000

stadium with Venus and Serena Williams playing. I don't understand

how they can't get it organised to be filled up. It is mind-boggling.

This has not been a good venue choice, crowdwise. The atmosphere is

not there at the moment. The confusing thing if you go to a

stadium, be it a football stadium in Europe or a baseball stadium in the

States, that would be for the final. 25,000? This is like an indoor

arena-size set-up. So why aren't they indoors in an arena? The match

against Serbia in autoyen. It was a huge stadium. Packed. A roaring

crowd. It is the complete opposite. And Andy Murray is a big draw card.

There is no reason, if they picked the venue right, it should have been

full. At the moment it is just not at the

races with James Ward. This is a set to forget.

This is where Leon Smith has to do his work at the end of this set and

re-set here. At least let the guy serve it out.

They don't like bagel sets. Well, not when you are losing, they don't.

Well done. Finally, on the board. One thing we know about James Ward,

is he is self-confident. He believes in himself. He knows his ability.

Knows when he is playing well. He can match it with anyone. So I don't

think he will be too concerned, even if this set is a 6-1 set. There is

the big man, John Isner. He would love to be out there playing.

He is watching his closest friend. They often double as doubles

partners. To me, his serve is in the top five

serves of all time. With good ground strokes as well.

There is no reason why he should not be in the top ten regularly with his

game. When you have poked out wide like

that, you have to get yourself back across court. This was a wrong shot

selection therement he has given himself way too much court to cover

on the next ball. Next ball.

He an appropriate shot in the baseball stadium! It was a bad

bounce but Ward's footwork did not move back off the baseline. You will

get a bad bouncer on the foot mshgs -- foot marks.

25 minutes and it is set point for Sam Querrey of the United States.

The first opportunity for the locals to get behind their side. Having won

a set for the first time this weekend.

The tie going to form. Going to expectations, but I think it is fair

to say that James Ward can play a lot better than he did there in that

opening set. No question about it. You would have

thought after Murray, going 1-0 up in a match, that he would have gone

out here and exploded on to the scene and Sam Querrey would have

been the one that would be tight. He knows if he loses this match it is

all over, but the reverse has happened. James Ward has not settled

yet, but there is a long way to go. The best of three sets, you would be

panicking but the best of five, there is a long way to dig in.

Ward will start afresh, but there is an element for Ward, he has

practised well, he is feeling strong, but you cannot icate won and

he has only won one match. It sometimes takes time to get that

feeling back for winning matches. You cannot beat that.

He looks at the moment as a player not willing to construct the point.

Almost hitting the cover off the balls, not feeling confident to dig

six or seven balls into the court to win the rally, but he has to change

that quickly. Sam Querrey is a confidence type of player. When he

starts swinging from the hip, he is dangerous. They are making sure that

the court does not get dry. It was pretty wet at the beginning of the

set. I'm not sure it needs more. It was only wet 25 minutes ago, they

are covering it again with excess water.

And to talk about the atmosphere one more time, I think tomorrow we will

see a different atmosphere. I'm not saying that the crowd will be

better, I don't know the ticket sales but the Bryans are very good

at getting the crowd going. If anybody can do it, they may jazz

people up. Sam Querrey is a very good player but he does not get the

crowds going. He is pretty monotone out there.

Is that an understatement? Well, the Bryan brothers, you are able to see

that match at 8.00pm on BBC Three in the evening.

The Bryan brothers up against Colin Fleming and maybe Andy Murray.

There are many pushing for the doubles slot. I think, Ross, that

Andy said they would discuss it with the team about the doubles tomorrow,

but I think that the only scenario now that he would not play, unless

there was injury, that we don't know about that happened in that much, is

if James Ward happens to win the match and we end up 2-0, perhaps

then Andy may think about resting, but other than that I think he will

play. I do. That is what he implied in the

press conference. Unless James wins, otherwise it will be a team

decision, but I don't think it will be. I think it is Andy saying he is

playing. That he is good to go! But a tough call for Colin Fleming. And

who knows what will happen in the morning, but Colin Fleming's name is

down there. He has a great record in the Davis Cup doubles. I am pleased

to see he has been given another opportunity. Now with a chance to

play against the best team in the world.

They may be but they are beatable. Last year in Davis Cup they lost

unexpectedly in the fifth set against Serbia.

So, if Andy Murray and Colin Fleming play together... Well, yes, what

chance do you put that at? I would say 55/45, Bryans. Very close.

They have won a Davis Cup match and lost one together.

Colin is a very good player but loves playing with someone who is

stronger than him. With a big personality, who is going to be good

for him to food off. Andy knows he is a good doubles

player. He wants that one. It is in his mindset. Hopefully he

will be there. Set two with new balls.

This is not just the errors. It is where they are ending up. That

forehand was in the middle of the net.

Leon Smith I would have thought would be saying give it height. Give

it spin. Take the net out of the play.

It is different to the opening match.

If Ward can get his teeth stuck into the match, it is not a foregone

conclusion. Mush

Much better from Ward. Good to see him getting stuck in. He needs to

change momentum. He needs to get vocal out there.

This is huge. He needed that one badly.

To me it almost looked like James Ward, when you played the top ten

players and you are ranked lower, the sense is when you are on court

you have to come out of your comfort zone from the beginning to have a

chance. You feel that, but against Sam Querrey, I don't think he has to

go outside of his comfort zone that much, but it is like he feels he has

to. That is why he was going for every ball. Trying to hit the cover

off each shot. He does not need to do that. Querrey is a good player

but not a great player. You are spot on, John. I agree

completely. Bad luck. That is a better point. A

much better backhand. Deep. He does like the drop-shot, James Ward. He

almost got away with this one. Not a bad one. Sam Querrey did well to

flick that ball that hard from this position.

Sometimes hard and fast down the centre can be a good ploy against

Querrey. He needs to find some consistency

though. He's got to do the business on his serve. At least hold to get

into the business side of the set and not get blown away and go down

an early break. He's going to really focus on getting a lot more first

serves in. At least keeping his nose out in front in this set.

Give your opponent a chance to get nervous at three or four-all.

The best of the match so far. He's getting height on the ball now

with the ground strokes. He's not hitting it so flat.

Ward knows the importance of that service hold.

Very entertaining brass band strike up what sounds like the Sports Night

theme from the 1980s. You wouldn't want to be sitting next