Italy v GB - Day 1 Part 3 Davis Cup

welcome back to our coverage of the Davis Cup in Naples of Britain

against Italy. Play has only just got underway. There was a three hour

rain delay and it was torrential at one point, but the sun has come out

and we are going over live very shortly to see the first singles

match between James Ward and Fabio Fognini. It is great to have Great

Britain at this stage of the competition after so long. This is

the quarter line-up over the next few days.

Fabio Fognini against James Ward is underway. It is the doubles tomorrow

and the singles on Sunday. That depends on what happens in the first

three rubbers that have been played. These were the scenes a couple of

hours ago when things looked bleak. It was a howling gale and torrential

rain. It looked as though we would be fortunate to have any play at

all. Andy Murray was grinning and grimacing in equal measure. He has

not been well over the last couple of days, so maybe a delay might

benefit him in terms of his fitness and ability to play. James Ward is

behind him. Those were the scenes a couple of hours ago. But by the

miracles of science we can go live to Naples... This is what happened a

few moments ago. James Ward got off to a flyer. But in the third game of

this first set, and this is a chord that has been specially laid right

by the host for impact and anaesthetics, but you can see when

we line-up that the surface of the court was cut up really badly. For

the world number 13 it was not to his liking at all. I think we will

see in a few moments time that people with emergency brushes came

on chord to rectify the fact that it had cut up really badly. That has

been rectified and these are now the live pictures. You can see that

James Ward now finds himself facing two break back points. Let's go live

to our commentary team. Good afternoon, everybody. It has

been an entertaining start to this match, not without incident as you

have seen. There has to be a debate about whether this court is fit to

play. James Ward saving the first of the break points. Picking up where

he left off in San Diego a few weeks ago. This is break back points

number two in the game. We will have a bit of that, John.

Break points down and he is playing against somebody who is very quick

and the drop shot has got to be that good if you want to hit a winner,

and it was. Fabio Fognini might be a bit nervous about the slipperiness

of the court. It is not a bad tactic.

So far James Ward's for had has been so good. In San Diego it was all

over the place and then he got control of it. In these first three

games he has been immaculate. It was important that he was able to get

into a rhythm and that gives you confidence.

Well played, James Ward. Fognini did an excellent job of keeping the

rally alive. He thought he had won it with that forehand. That is a

very impressive start from James Ward. Fognini is not happy with life

in these corners. It is not pleasant territory. Particularly when you

want to stay deep beyond your baseline. That is not going to help

me. Let's go to court side in Naples and get a sense of conditions.

Russell Fuller joins us. You have been observing the pictures

from where you are and relaying what has been happening here over the

past couple of hours. It is very damp on the cord. It is questionable

whether it is quite ready for play yet. We had some farcical scenes

earlier. The waters on the cover is leaked off the covers as they were

removing them. They forgot to remove the water and it meant that clear up

operation took one hour and 40 minutes when it should only have

taken about 15 minutes and we lost about one and a half hours of play.

Leon Smith is not happy and he described it as comical. But it is

the same for both sides and he is now they're trying to encourage his

man to even better things. He has made a terrific start to this match.

It is the same for both sides, but I suppose it does benefit Britain with

James Ward being a natural striker and with Fognini wanting to stay

deeper. James Ward has come and take in the game to Fognini and he has

played magnificently. Fognini is nervous about his footing. Take away

the court, his depth and his shot selection so far has been spot on,

James Ward. With Corrado Barazzutti he was trying to calm his man down.

He does not want to be on the court, and justifiably because it is

dangerous. You could see a couple of points where he was sliding. The

referee has made a decision, and sometimes they are wrong, but he has

made up his mind and they have to play and they have to get on with it

and that is just the way it is. But a great start from James Ward.

Beating Sam Querrey was a great result, but the standard in these

first three games, it is early days, but he is hitting the ball superbly.

Apart from that one! From 15-40 against a top 20 player,

good work. That was just an awful error. His

balance was totally off in that forehand. Mentally he is struggling

right now, the Italian number one. It is important to stay on him. This

is a time when all the excuses will start coming into his head. Stay on

him and make him think, I do not want to be here, the court is bad.

Fognini is at last on the board. He has won 12 of his 13 Davis Cup

matches on clay, Fabio Fognini, it is a terrific record. On the tour he

has had a thick record in the last two years, making the final of five

out of six events. James Ward thinks that is out. It will not matter

whether he is right or wrong because the crowd are jeering. It was in.

This is the sort of point which encourages the crowd to get on your

back when you dispute things. They don't like that. It is a sparse

crowd. I thought it was sold out. I guess they will trickle in

throughout the day, John. These you would say is Italy's

banker match of the tie. If James Ward could spring a surprise, it

would be hugely significant. We are seeing Fabio Fognini upping

the pace a little bit, hitting the forehand a bit bigger. He was

tentative at the beginning. That is trademark James Ward,

picking up those mid-court balls, trading on the backhand. He needs to

believe it can work for him, that play. It is game point.

Good length from the Italian. That is the zone where he is sliding into

his forehand. As you are sliding into that forehand, you do not feel

very comfortable there. That could have affected his forehand.

There is the break back. Fognini is back in the match, this first rubber

of the quarterfinal. We will be with you all weekend across the BBC. On

BBC One quite a bit tomorrow. Check the listings. Radio five live has

coverage as well. Various additional coverage and stats on the BBC sports

website or the app. You can get involved as well. Any questions you

have got for us in the commentary box, we will do our best to answer

your questions and you can also comment on the BBC sport Facebook

page. There is the address. Like us and make us feel wanted! It looks

like Fognini is standing quite far back on the return and that is

forcing James Ward to do more with his first serve to get a response.

We saw him miss a few first serves in that last game. That could be a

crucial aspect going further into the match. In the last game when he

broke Fognini, that short backswing, but he can unleash pays off that

forehand and sometimes it is frightening. He is a good move on

the clay. He is very light on his feet and he is slight as well. He is

very balanced and that is what means he is able to hit all those shots.

It is starting to fill up. People were thinking this match was not

going to happen and we were thinking it was not going to happen. They are

doing well to keep everybody backs. REFEREE: Sit down, please.

The players are used to having people wandering around when they

practice. It is not a big deal. I spoke to Chris Kermode about the

ruling over letting the crowds come in when they want to. He said it was

something they would try and look at. The players are used to

Chris Kermode is the new boss of the ATP world tour. A former British

player now in charge of the world game. It is a great promotion for

him. He can have a bigger impact on the spot of tennis. He was a

one-time director of the Queen's Club.

Ross Hutchins is the code tournament director. That is right, are we

going to get any extra special deals? He is a friend of yours!

He has made two terrible errors in this game which were wild. He was in

the commanding seat. On that previous forehand he was looking at

the court, questioning whether there was a bad bounce. Maybe they have to

change their mindsets, this is going to get ugly.

He was very nonchalant with that folly. It looked like a last second

thing. -- volley. I think that was dropping wide.

James Ward did some very good defensive play. He is not known for

that. He put up a pretty good lob, even though it was going out. At

least he got it back into play. He is not sure about the server. But

he accepts the call. That is what spending a lot of time with Andy

Murray does for you. His presence can only be a good thing around this

Davis Cup team. A positive influence on the younger and less experienced

players. When you are hanging with somebody

like Andy Murray, you can hang with anyone in the world. Maybe you can

win a set here or there. Suddenly when you go and play Fabio Fognini

you think, I can do just the same. In San Diego, Dom, you were in the

team. It was a great experience. Everyone was very relaxed. It was a

great setting, to be able to play in a baseball stadium, it is a one off.

How quick was he there? That was a brilliant drop shot and I thought it

was a winner. He is so quick to that ball. It was a great strategy, but

he was so far behind the baseline. And as you said, with his speed, it

is difficult to do much better than that.

That was a good change up, I like that. It is important not to let him

go back so deep. You have to change your opponent's mindset.

There was an open court. I am not sure if he took his eye off the ball

looking at James Ward. If you are anything like us, you need to see a

replay. All he had to do was get that in court and he would have had

the break. That is disappointing from James

Ward to lose from 3-1 up and now four behind. Fognini finding a bit

of rhythm after his uncertain start. John Lloyd and Dominic Inglot are

here. Don you were in the team mentioned the last time out, were

you disappointed to lose your place? Every single player is disappointed

if they lose their place, that is natural. But at the same time I

think Leon has decided to go with an experienced pairing and they could

do a good job here as well. I am disappointed in myself that I have

not done more to prove myself, but we still have a good chance with the

doubles team we have and I wish them all the best and I think they are

going to do well. Up to 20 in the world with doubles and that is an

achievement in itself. He is gesturing around, I do not know to

whom or what, but his captain is trying to calm him down. He is upset

about something, in the crowd, but think he is losing, he is up a

break! -- you would think he is losing. I think he is just the kind

of guy who likes to talk to himself, say weird things, it is amazing! We

played against each other in Indian Wells. He was like, la la la, almost

like singing! James Ward, deep down, I don't think

he can play much better than this. And she is down a break. -- he.

Fognini just moves the ball around the court so well, his speed.

His confidence is rattled. He was hitting winners, but now they are

coming right back at him. I agree. What James was doing was enough, but

now the balls are coming back, as you said, and it is causing

mistakes. They are creeping into his game.

Four games in a row for Italia. You do feel that he is in the prime

moments of his career. It is a career-high, number 30 in the world.

Let's not forget, the clay-court season is just beginning, his

strongest surface. That is right. A winner on clay

instant cart and Hamburg. -- in Stuttgart. He has won this year in

Buenos Aires. What a return. He was not expecting

that to come right back at him, that quick.

Fognini playing that game in a way that suggests he wants to serve out

the set. He will now have the chance to do so. Andy Murray versus Andreas

Seppi ahead. Dominik, you have experience of playing both these

guys. I lost two Fognini in Saint Petersburg last year. He was the

number one seed, I made a swift except. -- exit. I held my own name

little bit, until he started realising where I was going to

serve. I still played well but it was not good enough. I think I have

got a little bit of the old singles game in me! Indoors, I can still do

damage, but outdoors, on clay, I would not say you will see me there

too often. I watched Dominik play in the doubles in Indian Wells, a surf

came down ridiculous pace. -- serve. A couple almost decapitated one

person! Fognini serving for the first set. Davis Cup, across the

weekend, singles today, doubles tomorrow. All weather permitting.

The forecast is great for Sunday and beautiful for Monday.

Fantastic footwork. Still able to put the ball right into the corner.

At the 45 minutes of Davis Cup tennis on this sword on clay --

sodden clay, it is set point. And he wastes no time in taking it. Good

recovery after a sluggish start. Such an effective serve on clay.

Even if you can get that ball back, which Ward was not able to, it is

still so hard to change direction on clay and that opens up so many

options, Fognini is a very good at reading that game, your movement. We

have seen that a couple of times already. Is it a difficult serve to

read against? A quick motion? It is very shot, but he can do so much. It

is a flick of the wrist. It is very difficult to read. And not even

that, some people you read their intentions more so than the serve,

but he is so flamboyant, you have no idea, he will try anything. His

forehand is Federer like. You have to be relaxed to generate that from

such a small swing. That is why he generates so much pace, he is so

fluid. And speaking of fluid! No need for that! A nice message of

encouragement they have, the British fans, for Elena Baltacha.

Switzerland potentially the semifinal opponents for the winners

here. Stanislav Wawrinka is now the world

number three, of course. Australian Open champion. Roger Federer at

four. So good, quick, compact in the

forehand. Sets up the point well here. It could go either way. Makes

it down the line. Just looking at his eyes on that slow motion, you

can see he is looking out to sea where Ward is.

More problems in that corner of the court. The top left-hand corner as

you look on screen. But it is papering over the cracks, I'm

afraid, just coming out with the brushes.

The drop shot has worked an absolute treat forward. One did not pay off,

but you always get that if you try a few times. Even if it does not work,

it is a tactic of making sure your opponent comes close to the

baseline. He is aware that it is you other ground strokes. -- gives you.

Good signs for Great Britain, the crosscourt backhand making a

reappearance. A fine recovery. Ward was 0-30, that

was important. It is funny, John, all those times we have owned Andy

Murray for getting down on himself, psychologically does it affect him,

but with Fognini, it is just amusing! From his mannerisms you

would not think he is up one set. Would be fun to have a microphone on

him when he is playing! We saw how aggressive he was with the amount of

winners. But he is also making a lot of mistakes on the forehand, it has

been a mixed act. Good British support. They have done

a terrific job with this stadium. If you have seen pictures on the

Internet, or just the wide shot there, it looks great.

It is so strange, someone with his world ranking, who has just won the

set, concealing two sloppy points, and for somebody of his class, with

a lower ranked player on the run, normally that is when the top class

squeeze you and give you no breathing space. But she is letting

Ward regain his confidence. It is a strange performance. You would not

think he has won the first set, the way he is playing right now. But

there could be 12 winners in a row coming up, that is what he can do. I

wonder if sometimes it just feels like, I can have a little play

around, try since crazy stuff, and then he thinks, hold on, I need to

knuckle down, perhaps he finds another level of focus.

Right on the line from Fognini. Ward knows it.

Just as in the first set, James Ward leads by a break.

You have to admire the umpire. Good effort.

Again, with the drop shot. And the racquet is gone from Fognini! He is

picking a fight with somebody else now! Classic. Testament to the way

that James Ward is raising his game. A stiff challenge and the clay, here

in Italy. The Italian captain, a very solid player. He never missed

from the baseline. It must be interesting, what he is saying right

now. I wish we could get that microphone and understand. Is he

gesturing? Don't know what he is mad at. He is still up one set. Fognini

seems to be smiling and laughing also, he is up and down with his

mood. I liked the way the coach on the bench gave him a bit of chat

back! They know what they are dealing with. Credit to James Ward.

He played a very good first set and lost, you thought he might go away a

little bit in the second, but he has come back strong. He is attacking

the second serve of Fognini. Back in the match. This could be a very

important game here. They can take the first couple of points, really

take it to him, a double break would be very useful.

It sounds like this crowd know how to dish it out a little bit!

Just out. It was a poor forehand from Fognini. Straight down the

middle. Don't know what he thought he was doing with that, got away

with it. Perhaps thought Ward was going to go to one side, he would

just go down the middle. The tide of set one being turned in

this game, the fifth game. Got himself into trouble with that

approach shot. Not convincing. Left with no choice, he had to come in

from that position, but not enough light on that ball. Still a

beautiful flick from Fognini. Now, at zero -40, the Italian

comeback is on again. What a shot. What a forehand that

was. From the beach, in that far left-hand corner. To generate so

much pace on the stretch, it is almost as if you need is a challenge

to get himself going. Davis Cup, quarterfinal, Italy against Great

Britain. Plenty at stake. Three other quarterfinals around the

world, the Czech Republic have made an excellent start in Tokyo, playing

Japan. They are without Tomas Berdych but Radek Stepanek doing the

job on day one. France against Germany. Wawrinka, the Australian

Open champion losing the first set to Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan and

he is a break down in the second as well we're hearing. The tie is being

played in Geneva. Federer is there as well. Federer and Murray, the

representatives of the called Big Four on Davis Cup duty this weekend.

It is certainly wide open this competition this year, at this

stage. I wond if in between the matches

they can take one of those rollers and try and roll the court a little

bit. I don't know if they are allowed to do that. If they get on,

Andy Murray wouldn't be happy with that at all, sliding into that area,

hopefully it will be drier by then, but...

This is the start really. It is the peak time of year, from now until

the end of Wimbledon, there will be no let-up for Murray and other

players, of course. The French Open, and then the grass.

A very good point there from James Ward. A little lapse in

concentration. That point was earned by Ward, but a couple of dodgy

points before that from the Italian and he is right back in again. He is

suffering from lapses of concentration today.

Ward is a break up. Fognini achieving the break. The chances he

couldn't take in the sixth game of the first set.

Another opportunity to do so in the sixth game of the second.

It was very close to being called out. It just clipped the edge of the

line. This one here. Oh, that's wide. That's wide. It hit the

baseline which often is the thing that confuses people at court side

including the line judges. Just from that look, it looked wide to us.

That movement, the fact that he didn't slide for that last ball

really shows how uncomfortable he is with this clay court and the fact he

didn't attempt to do that shows me he is sceptical about the clay court

there. An amazing looking forehand that

was. Good play from Ward. Every time

Fognini is missing that first serve he is trying to be as aggressive as

he can to get ahead in the rally. What a shame. That was a terrific

rally. One of the best changes of the match so far and Ward was very

much holding his own until that final mis-hit. It will be so

difficult to get past Fognini. These top guys when it gets to the points

like that, they are so good, big targets, hitting high and heavy and

I think Ward is kind of, his movement around the back failed him.

It is a screamer! Well, that in many ways was James

Ward doing his very best Fabio Fognini impression. He is just

standing there saying, "Take that." He knew as soon as he hit it. That's

the best thing. If he gets a look at the second set,

he should step in much earlier and try and take the return inside the

baseline. UMPIRE: Out. If you are going to

overrule that, you need to look at the one a few points ago. I think he

is right. It is a good call by the umpire. I am afraid he missed one

earlier. He can be as aggressive as he likes. Even if you are very

aggressive, you are not going to be putting Fabio under pressure. If he

can rush him that's the key. He knows he is getting quite a few

errors and points coming his way off the strings of Fognini. It is

getting the balance right, isn't it Absolutely. Another chance.

Well played. Ward closes out the game.

This time he takes it and leads 4-2. It is a tremendous performance. He

is playing a high quality standard of tennis today. He is well above

his ranking. That's for sure. This man is 161 in the world, Ward.

It is not easy to tell, is it? This is an away match.

He should be getting up to around 100. It is unusual to see those type

of errors, that wasn't a difficult shot. There has been a lot of

forehands that way. He has a spring in his step He has

played brilliantly. Even if he were to lose this match, ward, when

Fognini is such an important part of this team, and he had a knee injury,

you want him on court as long as possible, if he is going to lose

this match, he may have to play three matches. If and if you can

keep him out for three hours plus on a day like today, it is all good.

He changed his mind at the last minute, ward. Also, John, it could

come down to a fifth and deciding rubber which Ward has experience of

a in the past. The more time he can play on this court the better.

Not sure if the umpire missed that. I am sure it bounced twice. Oh.

Maybe just scraped his frame under the ball.

What a point from Fognini. In that backhand a little flick to land it

in the corner. Then a beautiful drop shot from behind the baseline on the

stretch. Exceptional point. He is making him work so hard. When

he plays like this, ward, one of his main problem is his mobility. But

when he is playing this well, with his serve, and his ground stroke so

heavy, it is not easy to get him on the move. He is tough to get him to

move when he is this accurate. A couple of long arduous games and

Ward has won them both. He has stuck through both games where he had

opportunities, wasn't able to take one on the previous game, now he is

able to take this one. Sticking through it, battling hard, that is

going to add up later on, because you know you have been through those

tough games where you need to go through some more, you have those

under the belt. I have done it once, I can do it twice.

It is a tremendous performance by James Ward. You look at the

disparity with the rankings and on clay. Fognini's best surface by

miles. A world class player, and Ward could have won that first set.

Up 5-2 in the second and you can't ask for more.

Scenes from the day so far in Naples. If you weren't with us

earlier, torrential rain, forcing a delay to the start of play. Along

with the covers as well. The court really soft in places, as

you can see. Fognini, at times, he has shown the skills that have taken

him to 13 in the world, but it has been this man, Ward, who has

demonstrated talent of his own, to move 5-2 up in the second set.

Levelling this opening rubber in this Davis Cup quarter-final.

Good day for the racing out there. A stiff south-westerly? I reckon so.

Forehand has looked very average today. We have seen some great

winners but so many errors. He is letting this set go here, that

is three awful points. Britain aren't complaining. Set point.

He is looking so casual at the moment. The one before that. He is

just feeling it there. Oh that is great from Ward.

What a drop shot! One set all, and Ward there winning the last three

games of the set. Hasn't he played well? Fognini, in all sorts of

trouble. Looking unsure of himself. Caught by surprise. The skill and

determination of this Londoners James Ward, who yet again is rising

to the challenge of Davis Cup and representing his country.

One set all in Naples. If this is the teach the main course

should be something special and it will be served by Andy Murray, who

is one of these statistics we love; but he wasn't born the last time

Great Britain got to this stage of the Davis Cup, but there he is,

warming up before his match against the world number 34, Andreas Seppi,

that will be following this match between Ward and Fognini, and

certainly on the form book you would have taught this match might have

gone swiftly. In fact John Lloyd said at the start of the programme

many hours ago, he didn't feel James Ward had much of a chance. If you

have only seen James Ward play at Queens, this has been a revelation

some of his play, we have alluded to the fact Fognini has had an injury,

but in advance of think this it was thought it was his thigh but he is

getting attention to his chest unless he is getting attention for

the same of it. I am not sure we have too many medically qualified

people in the commentary. If we go back to Dominic and Jonathan and

Dom. Has he trained a rib or something, what do you make of it?

It looks like it the way the physio, that wasn't the problem that we

supposed he had, but he has been moaning and throughout the whole,

when he won the first set he was still moaning at his captain but he

tends to be this kind of a personality, but he is not

comfortable, but I mean, it is extraordinary the way this match,

you would have tempt after he won the first set that the second he

would just step it up a bit, and he would be OK, but he is actually, he

has sort of dropped his level. You have to give credit to James Ward,

but Fognini is making mistakes and he is not comfortable and it is good

news either way. If he were to win this match, he is not looking grated

and I am sure he is not quaking in his shoes watching this performance.

Were you the first Davis Cup captain to give James Ward an outing in the

Davis Cup? Did I read that somewhere? That is correct. What was

it when you saw him, a few years ago, what was it he had that you

thought might make him a serious player in years to come To be honest

we didn't have that many singles players at that time, he was the

highest ranked, but he, he was a sort of a stubborn personality,

mine, he wanted to be out there, I mean, look Davis Cup is a funny

competition, there are some players that actually sort of want to be

picked because they want to be in the team but don't want to be out on

the court sometimes. Whereas he wanted to be and he was very sort

of, he was annoyed I hadn't picked him for a previous match and he

played very well in that match. Some of players play well in Davis Cup

and some go the other way, you have had some some highly ranked that go

out and can't represent their country and James Ward has done the

opposite. It is one of these things if you could bottle what he achieved

in the Davis Cup and put it in the regular circuit he would be in the

top 100. The touch of that drop shot, to win the second set. Anybody

would have been proud of that. What is it that stopped somebody who has

the ability to play shots like that, what stops them from achieving what

should be their potential of a place in the top 100 and maybe the top 50?

I mean, it is obviously, they will say it is doing it week-to-week. The

tennis circuit, it is is a long-haul out there, it is a lot of

tournaments. Some peak at and some work when they come into Davis Cup

they are in a team jierment. I am not saying he doesn't work well the

rest of the year. But obviously in this environment, where he gets the

team coming together, and he puts in great effort. Sometimes we have had

British players that play very well at Wimbledon and don't do much the

rest of the year. It is about about with the tennis circuit it is

longevity. You have play at a consistent level week in, week out.

You would have thought after the run he has had this year in Davis Cup

and last year, particularly these last few matches, whether he wins or

loses he is coming up against the number 13. He should be in the top

100. There is no question about it. Dominic, a quick point to you. The

force was very much with James Ward at the end of that second set. This

has been if not a lengthy, certainly a considerable delay, so how much

does this allow Fognini to get himself together and perhaps take

the impetus away from James Ward? It lets him refocus and takes away from

James Ward's momentum, this is one of the big things, you won a set and

you have to keep the momentum going, it is very easy to kind of drop your

level and give your opponent a way back in. It is important he comes

out here, hits a good amount of first serves and tries to hold the

service game to keep that momentum in his favour.

So third set, Ward to serve. This is the pan Kerr from an

stallian point of view. Their number one against Britain's number two.

Would fancy Murray strongly against Andreas Seppi.

When you have a world class number one, if he loses this match, it that

drains the rest of the team, the whole confidence level drops.

As you said, this is obviously a banker match for the stallian, it

should be any way. -- the Italians.

In fairness to him, it is not like he is done at one set all. No. Early

days. Still early day, absolutely. Who knows Fabio Fognini, he is way

short of his best tennis, on the evidence of the first hour and a

bit. It looked like that was one of the

worst drop shots James Ward has hit. I thought it was over. It was a high

ball. You could see he stumbled. There is the slip and that was the

end of that point. Still a good lob though.

That was a bit more of the Fabio Fognini at his best. Flashing

forehands, and backhand right on the line. . That is OK. I think I James

Ward should be happy with that point, he should be making Fabio

Fognini hit those type of shots to win points and not gift him

anything, you should say congratulations and keep going.

That is more like it from the Italian point of view. Great form in

the first game. The locals finding their voice at

last. They have been outsung for the first hour and three-quarters.

A good one-two punch. He did not go after that one. That is where they

have had the problems. That is a Piti. It is not how many

double falls you serve it is when you serve them. That was a big one

to serve it on, unfortunately. You serve them. That was a big one to

serve it on, unfortunately. -- pity. Tremendous recovery.

He has done two returns and the same thing, he has dug a hole in and he

is not happy with that. I think in a situation like this, the ITF. The

home country should be fined, if they haven't got the right, you know

equipment for rain, as obviously they didn't or they have mishandled

it, the way, they should be fined for it.

They didn't have big enough covers That is my point. The rest of the

court is immaculate in the lines, outside it is dreadful. That is the

fault of the organisers. If you stage a home tie, it better

be right. Sure that wasn't a molehill? So bad.

Look at a this. Really! -- look at this.

There's the break for Fognini, opening game of set three.

Here is the difficulty now, all that good momentum that was built up has

now been lost. Yes. Let's see how he didn't push it, the shot before he

didn't push off into that area. I was thinking with the injury, we

don't know what it is, it looked like the rib, where would you see

that would affect him. It is a knee injury he can't move, a shoulder he

can't serve. He is not hitting the ball any softer, I don't know what

that is effecting. -- affecting, I don't know what it is affecting this

injury it looks like he has got. It might be more mental than anything

else. Do you think it could be a bit of gamesmanship, I need to take that

and slow down the... Good time for him to do it, wasn't it: Yes.

Lot of clay court pedigree in the last six months, all very reputable

established events on the ATP World Tour.

Still a lot of movement round the stands. People maybe took a break

after the second set, wanting to come back in but really they should

wait for the sit down. John was telling us on the red

button earlier he scrapped that rule, let speck tailors wander about

freely. Absolutely. Happens on the courts at Wimbledon. Why should you

have to wait for the change over. Could be 100 degrees. It could take

15 minutes to get into watch. That was a mishit on that forehand,

but he got away with it. Running round a couple of forehands,

do you sense it is the two handed backhand that is making causing him

disColl fort. If you are twisting with your left side, it is possible,

but if you are going for a while, a lot of the time he is flicking it

down the middle. Maybe when he is trying to go cross court, maybe

then, but... Oh that is fabulous! Great

entertainment there. None what last night flicks from

Fognini. -- nonchalant. Lost to Novak Djokovic at the start

of the year. A fantastic experience in Argentina, winning that first

round Davis Cup tie for Italy. He was the hero, no doubt about it,

involved on all three days. Co-that be one shot there, potentially?

Maybe. If it is as bad as he is making out,

the odds have strengthened he won't play in the double, which would be

very good news for the British team, that is for sure.

Oh! Spectacular. That is the shot of day so far.

Could he get any further wider than that?

Ward is standing toe to toe. That is good to see.

Important he doesn't get bullied back by the flashing shots from

Fognini. He seems to be having a lot of

success with the kind of disguised ball toss, looking like he is going

to kick it out to backhand and take to it the forehand. It seems ass if

Fognini is edging to the backhand and has to shift back to the

forehand, unless he comes out with that brilliant forehand we saw

earlier he has missed some of those. It is a good little tactic.

Ward has been fighting hard. One set all with the world number 13 here,

Fabio Fognini, the drop shot has worked a treat at times for the

British number three in the rankings. Did a good job of whipping

up the support as well, who in turn have really played their part, the

British supporters out here. Fantastic to hear them getting

behind the team. Strong travelling contingent in the

stand to the left of your picture. When that is empty, that is the

union flag. It is packed out with Brits.

It makes a big difference to, when you are a little bit down, they can

bring you back up, or to steady you and keep you going.

He called a foot fault there. They would never foot fault, if you

were playing in Italy, a Italian would never foot fault another

Italian. Never do that. Times have changed.

A lively Davis Cup experience in Rome. He played three times with

Italy. I would like to assess your record

to find ammunition. He had some decent wins.

Against Italy? A doubles match with your brother I

was remined of, 1976 at Wimbledon, contained an 18-16 fourth set. I

remember that one. Selective memory. Exactly.

Half a chance forward, break down this third set, but now at 30 all...

The up and down Italian, just having one of his poorer moments.

Very level-headed, James Ward. In control. On top of the situation.

Oh, what skill. He is a very fine doubles player that was the feel he

has add the net. Moved beautifully. Look how quickly he accelerated,

once he saw he was going across court, cuts it off and a beautiful

touch as well. Snuffed out that half chance pretty

competently. Ward has been so impressive, these baseline rallies.

Going into the match I thought it was only going to be one winner and

Ward has hung in, so many of the long baseline ex chaiping changes,

and it has been 50-50 really. Coming up against someone like Fognini,

that such a class clay court player, it is an impressive performance by

if Brit. -- by the Brit.

That was a bit hit and hope That whole game was hit and hope. He gets

up a break and again, a world class player, that is when you would Troy

and get on a lower ranked player and go for a double break, and get his

confidence down and he just played such a sloppy game there, it is

almost like he is thinking I have the break up, I will coast to the

third set, well, he has to be careful, James Ward is playing very

well. He is going after his opponent. This set is by no means

over. It is not like he has a great serve. He hasn't got the biggest

serve and James is getting into a lot of the return games. I wouldn't

be giving up so quickly. His support team to the right. Just behind the

barrier. Would you expect the doubles line-up to change? If

Fognini is healthy, yes. They are an accomplished team, they have played

together, they have an understanding, and he is definitely

stronger than the Lorenzi at doubles. So that might be an option.

Interesting to see what will happen. They have a lot of options.

A wonderful setting. The Tennis Club Napoli. You could watch from the top

of the hill. With good long-range binoculars, you could get a great

view! That is another brilliant point from

Ward. He should have that on loop as a screensaver! It was world-class.

Toad -- toe to toe. Not far away. Well played, says Leon

Smith. Next time it will work. One of his favourite shots, two-handed

down-the-line. So far, the Italian seems to have

set himself mentally a little bit better than the previous sets. A

little bit more composed. Saying that, it could change any second

with him. He has made it! What a forehand. Fognini is staring in

total disbelief. You thought there was no chance he would hit a clean

winner. A beautiful shot. This is superb from James Ward.

Breaking back in the sixth game. He took the ball so cleanly. Best

tennis I have ever seen him play. He did well to hang in. Might have

played one more shot. Good defensive play, did well to get this one back.

A good effort considering where he was. Those balls ten to hang longer

in the air than you want to. -- tend.

A double fault. That was about midway up the net. Incredible, these

ups and downs. You always think of top players being so solid, so

regular. Quite a few bad bounces out here

today. The players are dealing with it much better than we thought.

It is one of the challenges of playing on clay. Dealing with

everything it shows with you, which invariably includes bad bounces.

Clay court differ so much around the world. No wonder the same as the

next. That is true. I bet you have played on some poorer

examples. There have been occasions. Those outposts! On those courts, you

get the occasional good bounce! Name and shame! Let me think! It is a

long list. This is turning out to be a huge

game. If Ward can somehow break, an explosion could be coming from the

Italian. He has had enough game points. The pain is always worse

when you miss a shot. Dodgy clay on that top left-hand

corner. It really looks horrible in that

corner. Is the court fit for play? Is it safe enough? You could have a

bucket and spade up there, rather than a tennis racquet.

Luckily it is not so hot today, because these are some punishing

rallies. Amazing what winning a game like

that, even on your own service, how it can change the moment. For

Fognini, relief, forward, an opportunity missed. -- for Ward. You

think, gosh, I had an opportunity. It is important he focuses on this

game. Statistically, you get broken and most often after you had

unconverted break points in the previous game.

That was a difficult shot he played, the high background, then he had to

recover his position and it will please his captain. The second

singles player is hanging on in there. He had an easier shot, but he

said that wide. That is Fabio Fognini for you. Brilliant and

flamboyant. Let's cross to Russell Fuller. What can you tell us? It

seems like a good atmosphere. What about the conditions? The conditions

are worrying at the moment overhead, Jonathan. The threat of a shower

remains. I do not think it would force the players off court. It is

breezy, but very pleasant for the players at the moment. Andy Murray

has been warming up on one of the outside courts. Even though there is

much to be gained for Great Britain, even though James Ward does not win

this match, keeping Fabio Fognini out on the court, the message is

that Andy Murray will not be able to complete his match tonight. He will

have to come back tomorrow morning, finished his singles, and then play

the doubles rubber alongside Colin Fleming. That is tough. The home of

the pizza. Have you been to Naples, John? No, I have not been.

We have seen a lot of strange errors from the Italian. He is income and

and then he does not move his feet and he is sloppy and it gives James

Ward a chance to get back in this game.

That was just sensational! This was a tough volley. That was a

shoestring volley. Or shoelace should I say. That was unbelievable.

John mentioned the word control. You send over the two hours, he has

never really been in control of his match. No, this has been the best in

terms of the match. It has been more of a positive step. He has not been

shouting and gesturing to the crowd. I don't think he knew what he did. A

bit of improvisation. A ballet move after the shot.

That was a good effort from James Ward. He was in trouble and he has

got himself back now. Well done, good effort. That was a

good game to win, to send a message out to your opponent, I am not going

away from this set. You have to win this one. It is important because

this guy is a little bit up and down and he can give you an opportunity

if you are willing to take it. You have to at least force your service

and your opponent to serve it out. This set is not over by a long way.

If James Ward can get that first point somehow. He seems to be calmer

now compared to what he was. It is obviously a huge game for both

players here. The captain is doing a lot of chatting right now at the

changeover to James Ward. What is he like as a captain, Don? He is very

good. He works out pretty quickly what each player needs, whether it

is a calming voice, tactical help, and he might come out with little

bits here and there that might help you. He does not want to over or you

with too much information. He is very calming and very positive all

the time. It is important to be positive. Number one doubles

player, number 20 in the world. What a shot that is! What a start to

the game. When you hear the players and they drag the granting out, you

do not do that when you are feeling a bit tight, so that is good to see.

Very, very positive play from James Ward on return of serve. We talked

about that injury a little bit and it seems as if he is not getting

that much pace on the serve now. Not that he has got a huge serve. On the

second he looks as if he is just popping it in there.

Oh, some recovery that! James Ward had a good chance at a backhand and

he just slipped a little bit and he did not do much with it.

James Ward is doing his country proud out here. The length on that

ball there. That was a very good wide serve.

There is not too much pace and you do not have a lot to work with, you

have to create your own and that is where the error comes from. He went

for a low percentage shot. That was not a very big serve either. Two

break points gone away so quickly. Such a chance there. It was the

right shot to play, but he just overcooked it. He came out a little

bit too early and lifted up too early. It was just enough for it to

be pushed wide. Roger Federer is a great exponent of that shot.

And still James Ward keeps playing his game.

And The many backends in the rally? -- backhands.

That was big. He got around that so quickly. It was not a bad backhand

from Ward. He read it so quickly. Made it look like he had half an

hour to get ready for that one. Look at him now! You have not won it

yet, made. But he is 2-1 to the good. He came back from 15-40 in

that game, a good effort, a very entertaining set of tennis. Ward

must keep believing, as Italy moved to-1 ahead. -- 2-1.

The Italians are in the ascendancy. The atmosphere is building. There

are three other quarterfinals taking place around the world this weekend.

From Japan to Geneva. I think we can show you the match point of one of

the games taking place. This is Radek Stepanek in the first of the

rubbers in Tokyo. His team-mate then won the second match, the Czech

Republic have a 2-0 lead, perhaps unassailable. In France, France

versus Germany, Germany have won the opening singles match, perhaps an

upset. Switzerland versus Kazakhstan, a potential upset, the

score at 4-4. It could be a long all night in Geneva. A fantastic shot of

Naples, as we plan above this custom-made court. They look at the

statistics for the third set. If you have any questions for our

commentators or point to make, visit Twitter. And if you must step away

from the television, picking the kids up for the last day of term,

then you can follow it across the whole range of BBC out at. Radio

five live, the website. Whatever happens in Naples, you can find it

somewhere. Currently, Fognini is 2-1 to the good. He is taking a bathroom

break, an opportune moment to talk to our commentary experts. Dominik,

as a player, you have just gone 2-1 and your opponent is taking a

bathroom break. Time to think. What is James Ward thinking now? He was

being positive, taking it to his opponent. He realises that he will

have to take his opportunities, that Fognini is a volatile player, he

must just think, if I get chances, take them, and I'm still in the

match. What does the captain do at moments like this? Leon Smith will

be telling James Ward, you are so close. You're playing against a

player whose temperament is going up and down, if you hang in, keep the

same tactics, they are perfect. He was very close to perfect

execution, that set could have gone either way. So, more of the same

thing, get off to a good start, do not be intimidated, and he certainly

has not been. Maintain the belief that you can beat this player. And

he can. This match is far from over. I am unconvinced of the Italian. He

has lived very erratic. James Ward is still very close. There is a long

way to go. It is quite called for the spectators. -- cold. If you have

just got home and want to know what is coming up later on, Andy Murray

will be on court at the conclusion of this match, playing Andreas

Seppi. But the way that James Ward is playing, and he has hit some

extraordinary shots, this match may have a long way to go.

In the last set games got broken in the first game. He cannot afford

that in this set. -- James Ward got broken in the first game.

It seems somewhat out of character for him. Once again, the middle of

the net. This is a big game for the Italian, that is very sloppy.

Two great shots, two recoveries. To stay composed on the third shot,

that will be important in the rest of this match.

How casual was that? It looked like exhibition play. It worked. Not

exactly well disguised. But still good enough that he could not quite

just a defeat. -- adjust the feet. Surprised he did not slide on the

drop shot. What a shot that is. One of his

best, for you, the two-handed, down-the-line? Absolutely. He stays

on top of it well. He sometimes catches the forehand late, but the

backend, really fluent. First job, well done. After losing

the third set. He could have been slightly down after that and lost an

early break, but he did not, and post himself very well, excellent

first hold. -- composed himself. Fognini really wants an early lead.

He wants to make games think this match is over as soon as possible.

-- James. But as you say, a good came from James Ward.

That is what he is up against. The danger is that at any moment, the

real Fognini could come out to play. He just needs to think those

kind of points will happen. He knows the quality of player. But there

will be still in mistakes. Wait for those opportunities. Davis Cup

experience being built by James Ward, it is important for him. Won

nine, lost five. A good five set win last year. That was key. A real

career highlight, in San Diego. Lots of people have been making the

point in social media, where is the James Ward of the Davis Cup,

elsewhere on the tour. He has lost in qualifying a couple of times.

Lost the first round in Panama to the world number 169, last time-out.

It is difficult. It can be very easy to get up for a big match like this,

or at home at Wimbledon, Queen's, a working around you, living at home,

your own physios, coaches, everything prepared for you, for

potentially one match. But when you are away, in Panama, without your

coach and physio at your beck and call at any time, it can be harder

to prepare the right way. Also, mentally.

It is a huge contrast. It is about how you bridge that gap, I suppose.

Some players go the other way. They love the slog in the harder places,

but on the big stage, are nowhere to be seen. The potential is big for

him, he can handle the big events. He has to be careful. Just to remind

you, if you are joining us, Andy Murray is still to come.

As every game passes by, the likelihood of Andy Murray finishing

his game tonight becomes slimmer. We will worry about that when we get

there. Hopefully he is overly stomach bug which afflicted him

yesterday. He came out to train until early evening. Spent the rest

of the day in bed. The shot selection, his drop shot

has been good. But this one, I don't figure was the right time to play

that. A risky shot. It did not pay off.

He has just pulled up a big clump of clay! There it is. I mean, really.

That is just terrible. They are joking about it, and he is also

smiling about it, but that could do somebody a very nasty injury. No

question, that is dangerous. Lots of players used taping, and ankle

brace, under their socks and shoes which you cannot see.

He is still fighting gallantly, James Ward, but not much you can do

against that. It was brilliant defensive play from James Ward. It

was top class. But if you come up against that at the end, when he has

got that amount of firepower, where he can get around the ball so

quickly and do damage like that, he is too good. But he is still very

unpredictable, so you have to keep hanging in there. It is the best

match I have ever seen James Ward play. If you put it into context who

he is going up against, it has been phenomenal. I know he has beaten Sam

Querrey, but he is not a patch on Fabio Fognini on this surface. And

we talk about the record that Fognini has on the clay. Maybe

Rafael Nadal and there are really not many, but you are talking about

a top calibre player on this surface. A lot of credit. Whether he

wins or loses this match, it should be a tremendous boost to his career.

Even if he loses this comment he has kept his opponent out on the court

for a long time and that bodes well for the rest of the tie. If you have

got an injured man, keep him out there for as long as possible and

soften him up. And if you are Andreas Seppi and you are watching,

you will be thinking, if it comes to a decider... He is up against Murray

in the next match. It has started to rain. Lovely.

Looking at the forecast that came through this morning, I think we

have been lucky to get as much play as we have done so far. He's clay

courts can soak up a bit of water. If it is a little bit of drizzle. It

is mind-boggling sum of the shots. He was pushed away in the far corner

and he tried a drop shot and he missed it by about four feet.

That is the duty of clay. Any other surface and they would be off the

court by now. They don't need any more rain, that is for sure.

He is showing the talent he has at the net.

That was just so good from both players. It has been a really good

match. , very high quality. There have been too many errors from the

Italian, but there have been very high-class points.

He needs to keep believing. There will be more opportunities, that is

for sure. He almost tried to be too clever,

but it played to his showmanship. He has got very good technique on the

volley both sides. He did the hard bit almost. But when

you are going at that speed up the cord it is so hard to control.

That was almost like a sucker punch, from Fognini. Stepping right back.

Just for the first time in the match, there is a little bit of

daylight between the Italians and Great Britain. I just wonder whether

James Ward is a little bit fatigued. The combination of that and the

mental side of this match and he looks a little bit tired now.

Understandably because they have been battering each other around for

three hours. He has been getting himself out of some tricky

situations and he looks a little bit tired now. It is unfortunate because

two breaks and one break and with the Italian soak up and down, but he

has now got that cushion. It is going to be tough for James Ward to

come back from this position now. We are in the Davis Cup quarterfinals,

the Czech Republic leading Japan 2-0. And the Australian Open

champion Stanislas Wawrinka was beaten. That would be something if

Kazakhstan could beat Switzerland. They have got a good second player,

Switzerland. Federer? The world number three and the world

number four are playing for Switzerland this weekend. The

winners of that tie in Geneva will play the winners of this one. If

Britain could host Switzerland, it would be at home.

That was a tired looking shot, the feat not moving, and he has lost

some energy as well. Injuries always feel better when you

are winning. They seem to go away. Either that or he is thinking, I

want to go in before it starts raining.

You have to give Fognini a huge amount of credit. It has taken him

three hours to break the resistance of a much lower ranked player. It

has been demoralising at times. The captain will have been saying, what

are you doing? You should have won this comfortably. He stuck in there.

I think he was surprised by what James Ward had to offer. He came out

of the blocks very fast. He levelled it at one set all and I think he was

surprised by that and I think he realised he had to focus a lot

harder. It's been another really strong Dave

its Cup showing from James Ward. What a player he is. Swerve on that

mid court forehand midway through that. A deserved winner, Fabio

Fognini. Great to watch. Italy ahead in the tie. It took four sets, but

he got there in the end. From a British point of view, Andy

Murray always said he'd be back in. In the last few years, Britain's

found the player! Could be all down to him on Sunday.

A lot of ten noise be played before then. -- tennis to be played before

then. Italian celebrations. Two singles wins in Argentina at the

start of the year, followed by one on home clay. Find out in due course

whether that injury is hampering him at all and might put him in danger

of missing the doubles there was that swerving forehand I talked

about. How about that as a shot to finish the match? ! Oh, yes, I'm

good aren't I! Be in no doubt what a good player

Fognini is. He'll be seen at the French Open. He's the kind of player

not too many players are going to want to meet during the course of

that competition. This weekend, it's Davis quarter-final Cup weekend. The

game in Japan is done because they are eight hours ahead of us and the

Czech Republic are two to the good there after victories for Russell

and Stepanek. Germany one up against France, Tsonga on court at the

moment for the French and Jonathan was mentioning that Wawrinka's lost

in the first match for Switzerland. Federer's going on court for the

second match for the Swiss against Kazakhstan. Talking of second

matches, we can tell you that Andy Murray will be on court we think in

probably about 15 minutes' time or so for the second match. This time

against Andrey. James Ward, he's one of the players who a lot of players

we have seen at Queen's. People think, he's kind of a One Trick

Pony. But he's shown he's a lot more than that? It's the best match I've

ever seen him play. Put into context of who he played against, where they

played, the surface they played against and he was toe-to-toe with

him for three sets. I thought he was absolutely brilliant and showing

what a fine Davis Cup player he is, plays above his level and he has to

play like that in regular tournaments and he'll zone up the

rankings. Some are great players from absolutely nothing? Yes. He was

able to take any confidence he got from the beginning. He got up to an

early break, was able to dominate and take his chances. He knew that

he was going to get more and more chances because Fognini was

volatile. It's good to see he's got that shot-making, even on a slow

court in Italy. As far as his on pent, that was the most wonderful

touch in the second set, that drop shot. But his opponent has a

remarkable record on clay and you kind of felt, once we went into a

fourth set that perhaps the balance of power shifted inexorably away

from James? Once he lost the third set, he did feel like even though

Fognini was mentally up down, that's to put it mildly, and is giving his

poor Captain complete nightmares, he didn't know how to handle it for a

while. Once he got the third set, within the match change, you never

know with him, you don't know what you are seeing. Having said that, if

it comes to the Murray match, mentally he'll be totally different

because he'll go on there knowing he can't afford the lapses. Against

James Ward, he went on court thinking it would be a comfortable

match and took James Ward for granted a little bit. He's a unique

personality in tennis where there are lots of people who you could

perhaps describe as grey and beige. He's full of colour and you were

telling us when we were having the break for rain, about how you played

him in a doubles match in Indian Wells. Yes. He doesn't even look

like he's that ready sometimes. He's at the net, singing singing around

in the crowd. Before I know it, he's put a volley away for a winner. This

guy was looking at the crowd a second ago, so he looks very relaxed

and he's very kind of just a comfortable and confident player.

Great touch of the net. Flashing winners as well. He's brilliant.

When you look at his game, there's so many strengths he has that you

can see he'd be a nightmare to play on any surface, particularly clay.

James Ward, the touch he has, I mean around the net you can see why he's

such a good doubles player. He can do everything and he's so quick

around the court. The weapons, he's got big weapons on the court and

he's just so quick. I love to watch him.

I think it's also worth saying that when we talk about sport sports

needing personalities these days, his reaction on match point, as

Jonathan said, he said, yes, I know I'm good. It's hard not to warm to

someone with a personality like that. He won the first set in this

match and he was going nuts. No-one knows what he was going nuts about.

He know hes. He has the gesture, he goes nuts and then smiles and laughs

and comes up with a ridiculous win. We want people like that. In

reality, Britain will have expected, although nobody will have said, to

have lost that opening rubber. Are we any further on in deciding the

destination of this tie than we would have been three hours ago? Not

so sure, but I think we've actually helped ourselves. I think they are

going to be looking and thinking, James Ward is no pushover. He's

taken an exceptional play tore four sets and if he has to go against

Seppi, he won't be feeling that comfortable. He's seen this guy can

play, so he's helped himself. However, we'll see what happens in

the other singles matches and the doubles match. Still a long way to

go. People asking what is the state of play presuming the match against

Murray and Seppi does not finish tonight. If it doesn't finish,

they'll have to start it at 9. 30 in the morning and play the doubles

match after that. That is 4 o'clockish or so. I'm guessing

there's two-and-a-half hours or so of daylight available over there.

It's unlikely you are going to finish a match on clay in

two-and-a-half hours. Given the fact that both players, talking in Andy

Murray's terms, he'll know he won't finish the game tonight, it's one of

the key things not to rush and beat your opponent? Absolutely. You've

got to be careful with that because obviously you're conscious of the

fact Andy Murray doesn't want to play two matches tomorrow. Mentally

you have to focus and you come down after a big win and refocus for a

doubles ride afterwards so he wants to win and get it over with tonight.

But if he rushes and on clay you can't do that, he can find himself

with more problems, so he's got to make it business point-by-point and

try and play as much as he can. If he can get a win early great. Here

is the winner of the first in Naples today.

Fabio, many congratulations. You had to play very well after James Ward

made his start, particularly after the first two sets? I was sure that

yesterday, it was a really important point for us because, of course, you

have nothing to lose. Without playing well, feeling good, I won

the match. Happy for that and also for my team and Italy for sure. You

are being held together at the moment by quite a lot of the white

tape here on the rib? You know, it's still the same pain. I feel pain but

I can play, that's important. I didn't feel great about my tennis

today but I think mentally I was really strong. I feel a bit better

and my game was good. This is great for Italian tennis. What did you

think about the course? Particularly in the corners where it was quite

damp? You didn't look like you were impressed that you were playing? No,

for me, I'll just tell you it's a bad court, of course. In the morning

we start late but, I mean, sorry, guys, it's not my fault if the

course is like this, water coming up after the storm today of rain. It's

difficult. It's good that we play here, but we have to thank all the

people that working here because it's not easy, but they have to

understand it's difficult to stop every point and continue to play

after. Do you think the match started too early?

I mean, normally, I like to sleep so no, I mean I've no idea about that.

Sometimes we start at 2 because maybe you play in the day more times

with light. Sometimes we have to start early because we have no

light. We had a bit of luck today because it's OK now after the rain

coming. We Ethiopia finish the second match and of course, I have

to be ready for playing tomorrow. You can go and enjoy match number

two. Very well played. Thank you. Thank you. Italy 1, Great Britain 0

and Fognini one suspects will be back tomorrow playing in what is

often a decisive doubles. We have talked about sporting Great

Britain and tennis in particular. It's off an sport people perceive as

only played in certain communities and is excluded to others. There is

Anish tifr taking place in Birmingham to try to disprove that.

Phil Jones has been to see it. It's a cold, damp day in inner city

Birmingham. We are at the heart of the Sikh community. Anyone for ten

us? -- tennis? These children are part of a ten nice pilot scheme

aiming to take the sport into non-traditional areas. One of the

pioneering tennis activators is making the planwork. I was brought

up around here. We only got involved in certain sports, but now, with the

help of the tennis foundation and the LTA, they are helping fund

projects like this. It's absolutely brilliant what is happening here at

the primary school. The thing is, we want to make tennis for accessible

for people. It's a sport for anyone, of any age, ability, background. We

felt that, especially with certain communities, we were not getting

involved as much. Especially at the Asian community, it's always, let's

go to an education background or to become a doctor or a nurse or a

pharmacist. There are 600 of the new tennis coaches who've been through

fast-track low-cost programmes. The programme's been really successful

in getting people like Bal involved in the game. It's given him the

basic skills to do the session. It's almost turning things on its head by

saying instead of expecting them to go to the sport, the sport goes to

the community. The scheme's now set to be rolled out nationally after

these eight areas. The key is locking out the enthusiasm and

turning it into tennis. You get to learn and play. You play matches

together. I like doing that fore forehand and back hand. I hope to

learn tennis and become better. We want more people delivering tennis

in the community. This is exactly what we want. The who have whole

emphasis, it's them having fun. It makes me want to keep doing things

like this and keep setting up different projects. At the end of

the day, if they are not smiling, I'm not smiling.

John, you have been critical on more than one occasion in the past about

the LTA and its ability to get people playing the game. You must

welcome that whole heartedly? Absolutely. Anything that can get

more kids playing this great sport we have, I don't think we promote it

enough world-wise, that tennis is a game for life, but you have got to

start people young. It's not an easy game to learn, especially if you

take it up too late. You get them playing young, it's a game for life,

one of the sports you can play until you're 100 and it's a great sport

and we should try to get more kids out. A slightly random question,

maybe for people who're starting or maybe who aren't very good and if

you are not very good at something, you need something ex-that that

makes you continue to persevere with the sport, but you hire a council

tennis court for an hour or whatever, the likelihood is that you

are going to spend 45 minutes picking the ball up from the back of

the court because you are not going to be involved in long rallies

because you haven'ted got the technique and the coaching costs too

much so therefore you go round in a circle and after a while it gets

dull fetching a ball from over a fence. How to you square that circle

or don't you? That's the probably about tennis. We had a boom 15 or 20

years ago. People started picking up the game but they found it was very

difficult to learn, as you said, to go on the court with your mate and

you start hitting balls and just picking up the balls because it's

tough to get the technique so we need more coaching at park and club

level so people can get the techniques. Even if you had small

squads to get as many demiedz and even just feeting a tonne of balls,

so that they get ball and go round in a circle that. 's how I grew up

playing it -- as many kids. It's a social thing, as well as playing a

new sport. Any way of making it cheaper? In England, it's not easy.

The facilities indoors, someone's got to pay for them. That's the

problem. The weather in the States or Australia, they don't have that

problem because you have got the Wetheral year round, you can play

anywhere, outdoor courts, no problem in. Britain, it's not that easy to

do that. I don't know quite how they are going to come up with that. It's

not an easy problem to have. We can see the pictures from Naples. The

ballboys have come on court, so we'll expect Andy Murray there very,

very shortly. Do you think it's a ridiculous assertion to think that

in ten years' time, British tennis could be ride ago crest of the wave

numerically off the back of what Andy Murray achieved specifically

last year but mainly during the course of the his career. Can he act

as a one-man talisman for the sport as a whole? I think so. I think so.

If it's harnessed the right way, I think people can use him as someone

they can look up to and see what a great job he's done and what a great

life he's got that. 's the thing people can say spire to. If a boy

from Dunblane Scotland can achieve that, so can I, you know. It's

difficult when you see people from America or different countries, you

don't know what they've been through, but someone like Andy going

to the same schools as the kids do in England or in Scotland, you know,

these same kind of things happen, so it gives them home. I agree. It

happened in Germany with Becker and Graf. No question after the

Wimbledon win that we'll get more younger kids picking up the game,

the younger kids that have a hero now, instead of always thinking

about the football and rugby and the sports that we are associated with.

The Wimbledon win for Andy Murray was huge near reason and I would be

shocked if we don't get a boom out of it. If it's handled the right

way, it should improve in getting more people playing it. Andy

Murray's next coach. Who is going to to be? Who are the runners and

riders? For me, it's got to be two categories, a Grand Slam winner if

he's going to pick a tennis playing coach, so to speak, or it's going to

be a super coach, who's been with players who've won with slams. So

who are the potentials? Sam brass? Sam brass I don't think would do it.

Agassi I don't think. Jimmy connorth-west perhaps. --

connorth-west perhaps. Jimmy Connors coaching Andy. It would be fiery!

Andy's been through a few coaches in his time, the fair to say. Yes. He

did tease us by saying he was going to announce his newest coach on

April Fools day and that's what it was found out to be, it was an April

Fool but Leon Smith at the top of that list there, he of course is the

Davis Cup Captain for this tie and has been for the last couple of

years in Naples and they go back a long way.

Lowian, take us back a few years to when you first started working with

Andy at the age of 11. What are your memories -- Leon. I was the young

guy going into coaching without any playing history at all. I was very

fortunate to have got on with Andy when he was younger. It was probably

a good mix, probably having someone young they're could travel with him

and have some fun but hopefully get some work done at the same time. For

me at the time it worked really well because he was much younger than

most tennis coaches, so it was more fun for me to travel with him and,

you know, I'm not saying when he was 20 he had loads in common with an

11-year-old boy, but once I started to grow up a little more, we used to

do a lot of stuff together away from the court and I think that's

important at that age in an individual sport. Did he look as

presentedable as he does now? No, he was very different back then. A

little bit bigger, had a littleering or was it a stud? We don't need to

go into that. And some blonde highlights and Spikey hair. You are

dealing with one of the very best players in the world, so do you

coach andingly a different way to other members of the team? When a

Wimbledon champion comes into the team, it gives everyone a huge lift

and for all of us, me included, we are always learning, we always know

where we sit in terms of world tennis. We are keen to improve. When

Andy comes in, we learn so much from him. Andy's got a good tactical

brain so it helps us dissect the opponents. Constant dialogue and

it's more of that relationship, rather than me telling him how to

hit the ball, obviously. What does Leon do as a coach? His record is

phenomenally good? He's brought all of the right people in to do their

roles. That's something that, as a manager, Captain, you know, whatever

it is, it's very important and not always an easy thing to do to get

the right personalities and the right people and he's done a very

good job. How do conversations go at change events? You are not used to

having anybody alongside you at Grand Slams and ATP Tours? How does

it work? You need to say what you feel and sometimes it isn't

necessary to say anything. Sometimes it is, just, you know, good job or

great couple of games or whatever and sometimes when you are sitting

on thelet court, Leon might be able to tell you better than me, but it

can also be difficult to see things because you are so involved in the

match, you are so close to it as well that, having all the guys on

the side being able to feel like they can chip in and stuff is also

very important. Most of the guys see the game the same way and that's

very helpful. Andy Murray talking a couple on days

ago in Naples. He's live on court now before his match with Andre

Seppi. Very interesting what he said about the relationship with his

coach. When you were in that position, at moments of high

pressure and made a suggestion, did Andy say, do you know that's a good

point you have fleaed, or did he tend to say, I don't agree with you?

Well, I could have got out of that pretty well because at the time Brad

Gilbert was attached to the team as coach. So when Andy came in, I would

say something and if he gave me a look that he didn't agree, I would

say, Brad told me. So I'd pass the buck big time. What does a coach of

a player of that quality do if we move away from the Davis Cup,

whether it's Jimmy connorth-west, I mean we are obviously talking about

Djokovic and Federer taking on assistance, but what does a coach do

for somebody that's that good? He can try and add a new perspective on

how he sees things. Maybe he thinks there is an aspect of his game that

rereally needs to work on. He's got that calibre of knowledge that Andy

believes in and he's OK, let's look at that, and in Andy's case, maybe

he says, let's work on your second serve and make that a bigger serve

or maybe he says something else, you know, let's see if we can get you

coming to the net more often. That's something that if Andy is going to

hire that person, it's someone Andy has to thereon and hopefully it will

take his game to another level. A double Grand Slam champion, a

Wimbledon champion, has an Achilles heel. But why have successive

coaches not been able to address his second serve and why would anybody

else coming in be able to do that? I think Lendl has improved his second

serve a bit or Andy's improved it when he's been with Lendl. The super

coaches, the Grand Slam winners, they have been brought in mainly

because it's a funny thing this, you look at the Grand Slam winners and

the great champions and you think to yourself that they always are

confident, they always believe they are going to win. I know some Grand

Slam champions, I lived with one that was pretty good and believe me,

they have doubts. I think that someone like Jock witch with Bank of

America as an example -- Djokovic with Becker, as an example, I don't

think that the right points were played. Becker in his corntering

night before, because he's been there and done it, he will have been

told certain things. Believe me, they have litling doubts at time

times -- little doubts at times, so the coach will have told him,

listen, do this, and they are confident enough to tell you, I

think it can make a small difference that can win matches. Of course

then, that immediately takes you down the path of saying there are so

few people who can do that because someone who may have a great

pedigree as a coach is a Murray or a Djokovic or a Federer or whoever.

Are they going to be listening to people even though they have a great

coaching pedigree if they haven't been there as players in the past?

If they have a track record of working with the players, let's say

someone like Cahill comes in, he's worked with Hewitt and says, listen,

I've seen this plenty of times, I've seen this and you have got to trust

me and he'll be like OK. Even if your dad sad it to you, it's because

it's your dad, he might not listen to you. If it was Tim Cahill, he

might not listen to you! We are in the wrong sport, but we know the

point you make! Let's talk about this, before the day began we were

saying probably 1-1, but this is a hard game for Andy Murray,

especially on this surface? And the circumstances, the court being heavy

now, the patches in the corners that if Andy slides down there. Also the

point is that we are down 1-0. This is an open shoulder type of match.

Seppi can go for it big time. Andy knows if he loses, he's lost the

tie. The pressure switches. This is why Andy gets the big bucks and this

could be a good match. Seppi is a better player than people give

credit for. He's awkward looking, gets a bit tight on big occasions

sometimes, but in this match, he's got nothing to lose. A good

atmosphere towards tend of the match with Fognini. Is Andy the kind of

player who will respond to an antagonistic crowd? I think so. I

think he'll feed off it. It's not the first time he will have come

across a crowd like this, especially when you play at the lower levels of

tournaments like challengers. You can get crowds like this where they

can get unruly and I think he thrives off that. Some characters

love that and I think he is one of them. The louder it gets, the more

he's going to be like, do you know what, I'm going to show you guys.

I'm a double Grand Slam champion, show minister some respect. Yes. A

it's a challenge for him and these kind of players love challenges. I

think Andy will love it. We are just about ready to gore for the second

of the matches. The Davis Cup quarter-final in Naples. We are

likely to get beaten by the light so it's a safe assumption that this

match will not be concluded this evening unless one of them runs away

with it. We'll start again tomorrow at 9. 30, followed by a doubles

match which is so often crucial in the outcome of the Davis Cup ties.

Leon Smith looking anxiously to the skies. Let's hope there's not more

rain forecast. The reason we are behind schedule is that we had a

three-hour break because of torrential rain this morning and

that impacted, as you may have heard, on the state of the court. It

does look as other we are raring to go.

you can. If you have to leave your television set, then, we have

continued coverage on Radio 5 Live and across the BBC sport website. So

there is no excuse for missing a single ball that is hit during the

course of the match between Andy Murray and Andreas Seppi. Seppi

going through the last few serves. Let us go back to Jonathan.

The referee is in charge of stuff! He is looking up at the clouds,

pointing at one in particular, by the look of things.

Hopefully, still a fair bit of tennis left in the day. And good to

see this man, the Wimbledon champion, back on court for Great

Britain. As he was of course in San Diego,

just a few weeks ago. Leading the way as Britain beat

America, to have this quarter-final tie. They played six times before

these two, and Murray has the winning record comfortably. Five

wins and one defeat, which was on grass, back in 2006. In Nottingham,

the pre-Wimbledon tournament that year, second one of the

quarter-finals. Murray has won the last five, including on clay in

Rome. 2010. Has experience of beating the

Italian in Italy, so something that stacks up in his favour.

First match this, since the quarter-final defeat to Novak

Djokovic in Miami. Comfortable winner that day, in

Florida. Might have seen that controversial incident in the match,

where Djokovic got a winner leaning over the net, all over it in ct

pact. Didn't seem any doubt that the point should have gone in Murray's

favour. One of those where you can't really

look back and say that was a massive turning point. But even so. Enough

to rile Murray slightly. Switching to the clay, always

tricky, it has opinion a peculiar year, Murray has come from the hard

courts of Australia to clay, back on to the north American hard courts

and back on the clay. At least this will lead into the

European clay court season, and a string of tournaments building up to

the French Open. One of the toughest, gruelling parts of the

tennis year. Last year one or two injury issues

which came out of row land Garros. Some opportunities this year.

To gather some ranking points. This man Seppi, 36 in the world.

Actually 34 this yolk. He has been as high as 18. This week.

-- this week. Oh dear, that is the corner John,

where the problems have come all day, and that is Murray's first

experience of the Naples beach. This is what we were worried about. I can

see this, just unfortunately out the camera, but that was not good. Here

we go. Oh dear. That is what we talked about. It is unfit. It

should... Well, it is disgraceful this has happened.

It was interesting to hear Fognini upset about it, and clearly not

happy about the surface and very professional, I thought, really,

that Ward and Fognini should get through that match without great

complaint. Yeah, every now they do this and get if guys on the sweep it

and amend it. Each would have been within their rights and say this

court is not fit for play. -- get the guys. We are not slating

the court surface, what you see between the lines there, appears

adequate, but the players are at risk of injury. No doubt about that.

As Shea slide into the corner They messed up with the cover, the court

is not just the line, it is beyond the lines.

-- as they. Players these days, they are so defensive capability, they

use 10, 12 feet behind the lines and you can't have any position on the

court where you can't slide in, look, you can see, now he has that

in his mind about moving and it is sun fit, the covers did not protect

the court, the whole court. And, you know, whoever did the, the, there

should be a fine or there should be problems with it.

This is one way to deal with the situation. Step inside the court.

Chip and charge. Leather it! We were talking with John about the

role of the captain, this is where Leon Smith needs to say a few wise

words and say, it is a problem, we know that, but keep your cool. Don't

let it aggravate you, because this is is a match we have to win. Yes.

Murray, to his credit, continues to mature by the year, following him

throughout his career, close quarter, it has been noticeable that

extra maturity, almost every time Christmas passes by and you meet for

a New Year, a bit of extra few more years on the clock.

It happens to all of us! It was interesting the way Seppi

moved on that wide forehand. He sort of made a slight, if you watch this

here, watch, he kind of sort of jabs at the movement he takes one little,

there, he was scared to commit himself and push off on that ball.

That is the advantage Murray has, the serve, he can get cheap points

on his serve. Seppi very rarely, not a particularly big serve, and Murray

can certainly get a couple of freebies in a lot of game.

You never know what is going to happen when the ball hits the net.

It can do that, sit up and say "Smack me where ever you want."

Well e the extra complication of the sun coming out, practically for the

first time before, before that point. -- well, the extra

complication. Seemed to affect Murray more on the sever than Seppi

with that smash, but... You won't find that in any coaching manual.

That is a beautiful shot. Can open up the court well with it. You have

to hit it well when you are playing somebody like Murray. He is one of

the best defenders but that shot is a weapon.

Neat serve from Murray. Olympic Games winning serve, if I

remember rightly. Seppi, 18 in the world as I

mentioned just over a year ago, has finished the last two seasons inside

the world top 25. Very very handy player.

Looking at it from his point of view. He has the chance to be the

hero. Come out here and beat Andy Murray. Italy are 2-0 up. That is

practically tie over. He needs something to get his year

going, not the best, only four wins from 12 matches for Seppi. Hasn't

won successive matches all year, but he has come up against some tough

opponent, the like of Ferrer, Stanislas Wawrinka. Thomas Berdych

in Rotterdam. Lost the Australian Open to don nand

Young, a main you may have seen during our coverage of the last

Davis Cup tie. -- Donald Young. That serve certainly can be hit. It

sits up there a little bit. Murray inside the baseline, they have taken

that one on the rice rise, maybe a tactic we will see a lot more of

during the match. -- rise. Nice way to close out the game for Andreas

Seppi. He leads two games to one in the opening set.

I don't think either John or myself will forget where we were when Andy

Murray won Wimbledon last summer, because we were live on the radio,

on five. But where were you? We would like to know because we are

making a documentary for BBC television that will go out before

Murray's defence of his Wimbledon title this summer, we want you to

share your experiences of that momentous day. Particularly if you

have any, text, traffic or video footage of how you celebrated, maybe

you were in a strange place, maybe you were in a hot-air balloon or

watching on a TV somewhere slightly quirky. You can text us, or get

involved, on social media, using the hashtag Murray memories. You can

e-mail us as well. Murray memories at beak.co.uk.

-- We will put the programme together but you might have stuff on

your phone that you have said to your mates for half a year, wouldn't

it be amazing if we could get that on the BBC? Here is your chance.

Murray memories. Incidentally, the 5 Live documentary

that was made on a similar subject, the day we won Wimbledon, has just

been nominated for two radio Academy Awards, so good luck to it. The

ceremony is next month. It wasn't half bad.

That was a shooter, we saw a few of those in the first match.

Some welly behind that serve: The other was more the agile he hit down

the middle. There is that, that advantage of having a serve like

that, you can get a couple of free point, most service game, it takes a

lot of pressure off you. -- games.

That one, dead net call. These are the ones you love as a player, if

you hit them of course. Good point for the Italian. He back

with a brilliant foreof his own to get back in the rally. He is playing

well. -- foreof.

Oh! What a disappointing end that was, what a point!

What a shot across court. It was unbelievable. How did he get that

over? Considering it is from the awkward corner of the court, here we

go. It is coming up now isn't it. . This

one. Unbelievable. He deserved the point after that shot and he missed

the easiest ball of the whole rally. That is a break point and it Faw

falls to Italy and Andreas Seppi. He is taking his time. He wanted to

recharge the batteries to hit a big first serve here.

He will probably go down the middle. Oh, what an opportunity. Too many

option on that forehand. It is hard work already isn't it!

We're only in game four. It is good play that that Murray has