Italy v GB - Day 2 Part 2 Davis Cup

Once again come here we go with what could be the determining match on

deciding whether Britain make it through to a semifinal of the Davis

Cup the first time in 33 years. We have had some spectacular tennis so

far, loads of controversy about the state of court and some very

non-Neapolitan weather, but after the first two games, the score

stands at 1-1 between Great Britain and Italy.

The Davis Cup quarterfinal, Italy against Great Britain... That the

match. What a shot, what a forehand that

was. That is spectacular. All the skills and more! Good to see

this man, the Wimbledon champion, back on court the Great Britain.

--for Great Britain. And the Italian fightback begins. Murray leading his

team by example. And that will be it for today. He can still win this

match in straight sheds. Remarkable. What a shot that is -- straight

sets. Murray really does finish it in style.

1-1 between Great Britain and Italy and also between Switzerland and

Kazakhstan, and the winner of those matches will meet in the semifinal.

France have to come back from to love down against Germany in their

doubles pairing this afternoon in Nancy, it will be Peter Llodra and

Gael Monfils. The first team through to the semifinals after an emphatic

victory against Japan, the Czech Republic. The big question is, who

is going Republic. The big question is, who

to be playing in the doubles for Great Britain this afternoon? Has

Andy Murray decided he wants to play and, hopefully, playing a major part

in getting Great Britain through. Let's speak to Russell Fuller. Who

will be representing Britain? We were fairly confident, won't we, all

along? Especially having heard the interview Andy Murray game at --

gave after Andreas Seppi that it would be Murray and it will be Andy

Murray playing alongside Colin Fleming. It is tough on Ross

Hutchings, but he does know the score. He, and Colin Fleming, I

think, would have had a decent shot at winning this match but clearly,

with Murray in a doubles team, Britain's chances increase quite

significantly. So Murray and Fleming together, after an hour and three

quarters' rest, against Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini. A change

for Italy as well, it means the two no-ones are in action and even if it

is a long match, not forgetting that Murray as already played for an hour

and a quarter this morning, there won't be as much worry as far as

tomorrow is concerned, because Andy Murray is playing Fabio Fognini in

the first match. While Andy and Colin may have won their only

doubles in the Davis Cup together so far, the Italian side are unbeaten,

too. Yes, they are not a partnership to be taken lightly. Simone Bolelli

had quite bad injury problems last season and has not played an

enormous amount tennis, but as a pair, they do play well. They played

together in Miami and lost there in the first round. Leon Smith, the

Great Britain team captain, was watching that match and I get the

impression he was quite encouraged by what he saw on that occasion, but

that is a completely different atmosphere. The atmosphere is

terrific, the British bands holding their own despite being outnumbered

-- the British bands. But there is something about Andy Murray in a

British shirt at the moment. He was determined to win this doubles with

Fleming and not leave it to anybody else. He really does see his role as

team leader in doing just that. Unless there is a strong reason why

he cannot play three matches, he will play them and leave nothing to

chance. The match this morning, they held

over match, was played under beautiful blue skies. The sky behind

you, there seems to be threatening cloud. Is there any risk of rain?

Showers forecast, but then rain was forecast from morning until dusk

yesterday and, in the end, the rain stopped at around lunchtime. As I

look up, one or two big nasty clouds, but generally, a lot of blue

sky around. I think the biggest concern still is that patch of play

in the corner where Murray caught his footing and nearly jarred his

knee. You heard his comments earlier when he said he thought it was too

dangerous to play on and wouldn't be used in a regular ATP event. We are

waiting for a response from the tennis Federation that stage the

Davis Cup ties to that, but the fact is it is a great spectacle to see

the court laid down right by the edge of the water, with the Bay of

Naples and Capri in the distance, but the downside to temporary clay

courts is when the grandstand fluff airlines, like they did yesterday,

and managed to spill water over the court on the covers are taken off --

fluff airlines. They will be happier when they are at the opposite end of

the court. But it is doubles, you can come in and play a little less.

Russell, thank you very much comic he will be part of the Radio 5Live

team throughout the afternoon. John Lloyd and Dominic Inglot are with

us, as they have been the last day and a half. How does the

conversation go between Leon Smith and Andy Murray? Do you want to

play? Yes? Is that it? Absolutely. He was diplomatic in the interview,

saying he would discuss it with Leon, but if Andy wants to play, he

plays, as simple as that. Playing with a partner who you live with,

almost, playing week in, week out, how difficult is it to build up a

rapport in the blink of an eye, which is what Colin and Andy are

going to have to do? It is not easy, you would like to have as much time

together on the court as possible, but I believe they played in

Montreal last year, they made the finals, they have some understanding

together and I'm sure they will be able to gel pretty quickly. Talk

about some of the tactics involved in doubles, in terms of building a

bad partnership. What are the key areas? Stand on the left, obvious

stuff, -- building up that partnership. What are the key areas

that determine away a partnership gels? I think basic things like who

will take the middle ball? Is it Colin with a forehand or Andy with a

backhand? The next thing, do we want to play a normal formation? Do we

try and cross more or less? If we are both at the net, you try and hit

middle, I will pinch at the net, knock off a volley to put pressure

on those guys at the net. You will have those conversations and as the

match progresses, you will see tendencies that one of the players

may have and you will work around it. Is this also the one match where

a captain to have a fair amount of impact? He can see the tactics in

the pairings are working together. Absolutely. There is a chance,

because they have played on the opposite sides, and he has played on

the outside and Colin on the right, if they start badly and lose the

first set, they can switch positions and that is something the captain

will discuss. In doubles, they can change it, so the captain will play

a big role. The doubles will get underway in the next few minutes, it

has been delayed to let Andy Murray recover more from the singles match.

If you haven't seen it, it was nerve wracking, but in the end, Andy

showed why he is a double Grand Slam champion, at key moments, producing

shots like we are going to show you now. As you can see from the

scoreboard, it is 5-5 and deuce, and if this goes one set all, you are

thinking, goodness me, but into the really bad part of the court, he

manages to play a shot like that, a bullet forehand at Andreas Seppi 's

feed. And here is a point, watch this, it is sensational. We have

seen it many times from Andy in the past, that wonderful looped forehand

over the oncoming player, but he plays this to absolute perfection,

fantastic. And it is the variety of shot he has at his disposal that

sets him apart from many others. Absolutely, every shot in the book.

There are a few people who can attack well and the few who can

defend well and he has both of those aspects and that makes him a great

player but he is. He puts pressure on his opponent to get better and

better and if he doesn't, it is point over. That is almost a

trademark Andy Murray shot, we are looking to see it in certain

positions when his back against -- is against the wall, but he

invariably nails it. That is the difference between good

players and great players. With some players, there is doubt, but the

great players play the big points. It is always interesting having

conversations of air, you were talking about what a great player

Andy Murray is about his tactical mayors and how he keeps himself in a

rally, even when he is under great pressure. Talk us through this. He

was out of the court, and he plays a high lob, and Seppi can't attack,

and instead of being open the point, Seppi is back at 50-50. Murray takes

advantage, he builds himself slowly and slowly, takes his chances, gets

into the net and Seppi loses the point from a position he should have

won it. It is about gaining territory when you play in these

matches. We are watching it and now you think, Seppi has the upper hand,

he has the forehand out wide, but players like Murray defends so well

that all of a sudden, they are back in the point with that looping

forehand, so he gets himself into a 50-50 situation, when he was 70

slashed 30, they defend so well. -- 7030. Only the great players are

like that, Djokovic, Nadal, Federer, they defend as well as

attack. Andy lost his serve early on but he broke back and won the next

five games. The last couple of games were a complete rush as the force

really was with him. He had managed to quieten the crowd, who was

certainly very vociferous at the start of that said. But all things

went to plan at the end, and as you can see from the scoreboard, and the

final Italian error into the net, a forced error, much to the light of

Leon Smith and the rest of the Britain team. After the match, Andy

Murray spoke to Ross Fuller. Britain team. After the match, Andy

Murray spoke to Ross Andy, many congratulations. I guess the perfect

morning's work, not just the victory, but in straight sets. The

last few games went by quite quick, but the start of the match was,

well, I mean today, it was a long, first few games and then the

beginning of the third set, a lot of long games so it is good I managed

to finish it off in straight sets. At least I can be an option for the

doubles of Leon wants to use me. You need to have that conversation but

will you be telling him you want to play the doubles? It is not

necessarily my decision. I will go and speak to him. I was ill for a

few days and I will speak to the doctor as well, see what he thinks.

I will also speak to the doubles guys as well, because if they feel

great and they are sure they will get the job done, maybe it makes

more sense for them to play. We will go and chat about it now. Do you

feel physically ready? I was a little bit tired this morning when I

got up, but I felt all right and once I got going in the match, I

felt pretty good and I obviously finished well. I Tower K. It is just

that the court is pretty dangerous -- I felt OK. You have to be

careful, I hope no one gets hurt this weekend. I wanted to ask you

about that, there was a particular corner where it looks like you had

heard your knee. Is it difficult to trust the surface? -- hurt unique

this side is fine, on the whole it is fine, but there is a lot of bad

bounces. And that corner is not good and I don't think it is good enough,

if this was on the tour, they would not be using this court. It is

something we can talk about after the tie because the last thing you

want is someone getting injured, because of a bad surface. It doesn't

have to be like that. We will let you talk to the doctor and Leon,

well done on a good morning's work. That was done after his win this

morning and we do know he is playing with Fleming this afternoon. Talking

about the surface, you were very vocal about it and listening to Andy

there, whose responsibility is it for allowing the court to be in that

condition? Ultimately, the Italians prepare the court, but it is the

ITF, it is their tournament, they have people who come in and make

sure the venues are perfect. Well, it wasn't perfect. Whoever messed

up, it is irrelevant. It was messed up and they should get in trouble.

The doubles are coming up in Naples and there are doubles in Geneva,

Wawrinka and Federer, I am hearing, have lost the first set to

Kazakhstan. The winner of that match will play the winner of Italy and

Great Britain. If Great Britain and Switzerland win, it will be Great

Britain and Switzerland and who knows where? Wimbledon, we suspect.

I don't know the options. But if it is Great Britain and Kazakhstan, it

will be in Kazakhstan... Presumably the capital? He knows the capital,

he is too clever. Having you here, it would be remiss if we didn't go

back to one of your finest hours, one of your greatest hits at

Wimbledon, 1976, the doubles on Court number one, and 18-16, you and

your brother playing. Those were the days, hey? More hair. And short

shorts. My brother bullied me into winning that one. I thought we had

lost and saved six match points. He kept saying we were going to win and

I was, like, " macro-radio?" I was in the crowd. I came from

school. -- I was, like, " Really? " . Now, this is the first match since

the 1920s -- the first match between Italy and Great Britain was in the

1920s, and as you can see, a whole raft of Italian victories through

the 1950s and the sole British victory in the 1980s, and the

Italian captain in this tie today in Naples was one of the people who

lost to Buster Mottram. An interesting moustache he was wearing

at the time. And a huge crowd in a home tie in those days. Do remember

that? Buster was a great Davis Cup player, very underrated. Top 20 in

the world and his Davis Cup record, I can't remember exactly, but I

think he only lost two or three matches. He beat her natter away in

Italy, and he was a very underrated player. Nobody really knows much

about him -- he beat Pernata. We are just waiting for the Opening

Ceremony of the Davis Cup quarterfinal. I know this may sound

slightly out of order, but it was supposed to happen yesterday before

a ball was hit but the weather was so bad that they decided to delay it

until a time to be determined. This reason, which none of us are

altogether clear about, I have to say, there is going to be an Opening

Ceremony, with the match already poised at 1-1. And I suspect

everybody there at Naples just wants to see the doubles. Anyway, we are

to see and firms, paraphernalia, before the players come on court. --

national anthems. This is a Davis Cup tie and the Italian Federation

have gone to a huge amount of effort to create a wonderful setting on the

edge of the Bay of Naples but the Davis Cup itself, we have got

Federer playing, the French have got Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils,

big names playing, but it is a tournament that Djokovic opted to

not playing, and if Great Britain were to win this, the semifinal

comes months and months ahead in an already squeezed and congested

schedule. Where'd you think the Davis Cup sits generally? I think it

is in a troubled area. Nadal also didn't play, so the top two players,

with Federer at the last minute, not playing. So if you don't have the

top players playing, you're going to struggle. You have to be careful

that the cup is not devalued. We have some great matches, as in the

one here, but it needs to change its format. I think it should come every

two years, maybe four years, make it something special. Because if you

are not a real tennis fanatic, who knows who is in the Davis Cup final?

If it is not your country, no one knows and that is wrong. We should

all be excited about it but it comes to quickly. There is talk about a

World Cup, a lot of people have vested interests about a World Cup,

off the back of the US Open so that there is three or four weeks of

condensed World Cup. Wouldn't that be great for tennis? It would and it

is important to have continuity, so people remember the last matches and

build the momentum of the matches, but there will be ATP problems,

because the tour has to be played, they will have to be rescheduled,

will they agree to it? It is tricky. So who needs to drive it,

the top players? Absolutely. A lot of the top players complain about

the Davis Cup schedule and quite rightly but my point is, do

something about it. If the top ten got together and said we do not like

this, change it or we are not playing, it would get it changed the

next day. When Serbia one, Djokovic said it was the greatest day of his

life. -- won. Even a Simic, we talked about winning being the equal

of his Wimbledon triumph -- Goran Ivanisevic. You can see the stress

that Andy Murray was under, there is an added pressure on representing

the guys -- country that the guys are not used it. It does seem odd

that the Davis Cup is not embraced by the sport as much as they would

like. I agree, like when you talk about Djokovic, but it is when you

win it for the first time. Djokovic didn't play this year. Nadal has won

it and didn't play this year. When Federer is playing, he hasn't won a

jet. It is completing the CV, almost. Exactly. -- he hasn't won it

yet. They have to follow competitions that have previously

lost their value, like the FA Cup for example. The players are waiting

to go into court. You are both great golfers, but you play tennis with

Jack Nicholas the other day was I presumed you one? I played him and

we lost. It seems that the Davis Cup is in the position the Ryder Cup was

before the Europeans and Seve and everybody were brought in to augment

the Great Britain team. That is exactly right, I agree completely.

Here we go, the union flag leading at the British team. Colin Fleming,

Daniel Evans, Leon Smith, and obviously Andy Murray. The Italian

team will be out shortly. Let's go over to Jonathan.

Thank you, great atmosphere again in the Tennis Club Napoli, and the

travelling Brits are definitely playing their part over the weekend.

It is all very odd, isn't it? An Opening Ceremony midway through the

match. I have sat through many of these in a middle Saturday over the

years, it is not unusual. I suppose if you buy your ticket for the

Saturday, you have only got one match on a normal Davis Cup

weekend. Normally you have both singles on Saturday, I beg your

pardon, on a Friday, just the one doubles match on Saturday. So I

think they are trying to have a little bit of pomp and ceremony, a

sense of value for their tickets. They have had value today already, a

terrific struggle between Andy Murray and Andreas Seppi. And now a

potentially pivotal doubles. The British team are being introduced.

James Ward, a great effort from him yesterday. And who knows, it might

all come down to him in the deciding match tomorrow. Great to see Ross

Hutchings back in a Great Britain tracksuit. Just back on the tour for

a couple of months that the spending all of last year fighting cancer and

fighting it so bravely and positively, and inspiration from

Seoul. Simone Bolelli and Lorenzi making up the Italian team in

addition to the others we have already seen. And now the national

anthems. ??CHEERING ITALIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM

PLAYS. It looked like Andy Murray was

hitting the top Sopranos note, good effort.

One of the great anthems of the world, the Italian anthem and it is

always good to hear the second verse of God Save The Queen. John Lloyd,

in terms of how vivid matches going to be, when they get on court -- of

how pivotal this match is going to be, when they get on court, it is

going to be tight and key little moments will decide the type. I

think this match decides the time. I think if we win this match, I think

Andy Murray wins. If we lose, I still think Andy Murray will win but

I'm concerned about the fifth match. Jamie Ward against Andreas Seppi on

Sunday. Where will this match be won and lost? Playing on clay is not the

easiest thing that the boys. Colin Fleming is a very good doubles

player, but clay is not his best service. -- surface. Fabio Fognini

and Simone Bolelli are very experienced. Andy has got to be the

leader. I think this is an 50-50 match, I really do. We were talking

about Andy's serve this morning, especially his second serve, there

were several double faults, and a couple of those, the second serve

barely made it halfway up the net. Why is that? Is it the ball toss?

Getting tight? He looked like he wasn't accelerating on the server.

It wouldn't surprise me if we get a lot of breaks of serve on both teams

in this, because both return so well and we are not talking about a fast

court, so it wouldn't surprise me. On a fast surface, you lose a break

and you panic, set is over, but here, you will see breaks back.

Again, I think Murray is the man. I think if he was plain doubles on the

tour, he would be top five, so... Because of his ability to play

angles and his touch? Everything. EAR When you have a Grand Slam

winner you are so good, some of the angles down the middle he might be

caught, but his overall about is he can return serve better than anybody

else. With his big first serve, he is a brilliant player. Singles or

doubles. We focus on Andy Murray but it takes two to tango and that there

is Colin Fleming on the left. If we talk to Dominic who knows him well.

Tell us about Colin as a person, and his particular skills as a player.

Colin, he is a very good returner and also very good at the net, and

poaching, and reading the game and putting away volley, so I think what

you will see is Andy will make the returns and Colin is going to look

to try and put pressure on the ground stroker by either crossing,

holding, and maybe even rushing them with volleys. I think that is what

he does well. He is positive. Even when it is not going well, he was

helping me settle down in my first tie, saying we can do this, don't

worry, we, we are getting our bearings, as a team they will be

difficult to beat. I am sure there will be some watching who say this

is a Scottish team, and they will have known each other for a very

long time. Since they were young. Is that an extra sort of bond between

them as well? Quite possibly. You know, it is good to be playing with

your friend, and someone you want to play and win for, as a friend as

well as a team-mate. They will have played as juniors, they will have

played in Montreal and did well there. They have time together,

under the belt, and hopefully that will show when they are playing

today. When you don't play doubles very much, as Andy Murray doesn't,

even allowing for his amazing technique and skills what are the

things in a double's match that you need to refine, which is what

practise does, which means he won't be, you know, as match tight if you

like, when there four on court as when there is two? It is balls in

the middle. It is knowing where your partner is, when you are playing

doubles like Dom does every week, you know where your partner is going

to be, you follow each other on the court. When you are playing, you

know with doubles like Andy does, five or six times a year, you tend

to leave gaps, so it is about covering together well, and bouncing

off each other, so to speak. Again, he is good enough. The thing that

concerns me is both of our guys second severs. We have talked about

Andy and Colin's second serve can be shaky. They are playing against two

players that return serve very well. They will be under pressure on their

serves, more than it would be if it was on a faster service, that

concerns me. So Dominic if your second serve, or if the opposition

perceive your second serve to be a potential weakness, as the serve

what do you try to do with that ball. -- server? First, you would

try increase the percentage of your first serve. You might slow it down

and go to the body more to give yourself more percentage. If you are

stuck with a second serve, you will try and go bigger targets, a big

kick, that gives you a good bra jebg triand you can attack it more. --

trajectory. As a partner he might look to come in and fake a bit,

cross a bit more, so it is asking a question from the returner, and he

might be put off a bit by the movement of the net player.

Agree totally. I think this is going to be a very interesting contrast, I

do think we will win this match, but I think it is going to be very

tough. On a faster surface I would have to problem predicting our boys

to win. On clay think it will be a tough match.

Final preparations under way, as the Italian Davis Cup captain watches.

He couldn't be watching any other sport could he, other than tennis.

First one way, then the other. Leon Smith, he, he is aloof. He is

watching one end of the court, which is probably British end. We will let

you go and say to onnan, let us hope, we obviously I am sure 90% of

people watching, most people watching will be hoping for a

British success. Let us hope for a good game. We have had fantastic

tennis, so we could be in for a real treat over the course of the next

couple of hours or so. So Jonathan, all yours.

Absolutely, I agree with that, I often think situations like this, it

is my role to put out the mitigating circumstances for the opposition, in

advance of a match like this. High hopes from a British point of view,

obviously for Murray and Fleming, but in Bolelli and Fognini, this is

a reasonably established partnership, they reached the

semifinals of the Australian Open in 2013, they won their second tour

doubles title a few weeks later in Buenos Aires, they made another

semi-final in Sao Paolo, they could have gone on to win that, had

Fognini not with draw up with a leg problem, they made the Acapulco

final that year as well, so they have lots of tour experience. In

Davis Cup, Fabio Fognini his doubles record, he has won three, lost one,

Bolelli his record is won six, lost two and here is the thing to really

note. Bolelli unbeaten in Davis Cup doubles on clay, Fognini unbeaten in

Davis Cup doubles on clay. So, how has that made you feel folks? It is

tough. It will be hard work. They might have Andy Murray in their

ranks but make who mistake the Italians will fancy their chances.

Really excited about this Dominic, this is the PFI 258 match so often.

Absolutely, I think especially considering the final day could be

quite evenly poised. They both know that this, it really could come down

to this. The winner of this will go into the final day feeling good

about their chances of winning. As you mention Andy is a great doubles

player, great singles as well. Colin, great doubles player, on

clay, they will have more time when they are staying back, to rip at the

net guy, it gives them more options and they will be tricky. You will

see that with both hilters technically gifted, and it will be a

close match. You have reason to ex -- recent experience having beaten

Fabio Fognini in doubles a few weeks ago, in Indian Wells California.

Tell us about that experience. Well, it was you know it was an important

match, it was our first round and we were playing against Seppi and

Fognini -- pardon me Fognini. They crushed us in the first set, we were

able to pulpit back, despite being a break downing we started finding our

feet, realised what they might be doing, as the time Fognini was

playing, he was using his backhand a lot down the line, his forehand, he

can do anything with that. His serve he likes to slice the serve. He

wants to open up the court. He is happy hitting cross court all day,

so it is important to try and almost give a dummy occasionally so he is

forced to go liefrn. After looked across, you are putting the question

mark, always in his mind, where is this net going to go. He is not just

comfortable in cross court. Someone like Bolelli he has a beautiful

backhand, we will see that, so trying to not give him that

opportunity to use that and hit it where ever he wants.

Good effort from Andreas Seppi earlier today. Nothing really to

show for it. Straight sets defeat to Andy Murray is what the score card

will read, but those who saw it will remember a mighty fine effort for

the more experiences of two. Here is Simone Bolelli, who had a couple of

decent years on the tour. He is pretty experienced at 28-year-olds

of age. A career high in singles of 36, back in 2009, but a combination

of loss and form and a lot of injuries as well, perhapsings a

desire to focus more on doubles has sent it crashing down to 364 at the

moment. A bad wrist injury last year. Murray knows all about that,

he missed French Open of 2007 and Wimbledon that year of course. Final

instructions from the captains, there is Fognini who got the tie off

to a winning start for Italy. -- perhaps. A lot of anticipation

round the stadium here. The secret code of doubles, you have

to cover your mouth because someone in the crowd could spot it and get

it down to the other end in an instant. I think it becomes, just

natural, you start doing it and you can't stop doing it!

Like the touchy-feely hands, here we go, we didn't quite get it. It is

like a nervous tic. You want to keep commune care, keep a bond with your

partner. I know someone like Steve is not a big fan of it, Neil Harmon,

pardon me, it is necessary, sometimes.

The The funny thing talking about that, you didn't go through that

stuff 15, 20 years ago, now all the players do it, it has spread to club

players now. Club players do it, they give the touch and, I have seen

them starting to talk with the hands over the mouth. I am thinking who is

going to hear you? There is no-one here. Spies. Spies!

First game for Britain. If you are just a casual player at home, like

me, you know what your partner is saying to youen a Sunday morning. It

is get one in play, please. It really does stem from that,

because, you know there is always this belief that if you do it wrong

by yourself, you blame yourself, but you don't want that feeling of your

partner being upset with you, sometimes if you are the partner and

you know, and your team-mate has missed it. You want to day don't

worery, let us keep positive and that reassurance you so don't feel

added pressure from your team-mate. -- you want to say don't worry.

There is a real edge to this match. The first two match, they were tough

match, but they were relatively easy to predict who was going to win both

matches, this one is the one that is sort of the unknown factor here. It

is obviously, the crucial stage of the match, 1-1. Is it a 50-50 match

or does the presence of Murray weight it more in Britain's favour.

I think it is marginal. What do you think only do Dom? I agree. It is

marginal favourites. I think the clay is a big leveller.

I can't get my head round when male players serve and stay back. In

doubles, it is something it is amazing, but it works.

Better not stay back if he hits forehands like that. That was a

bottom of the net job. We have seen a lot of body serves.

The Brits served a lot and seen it twice now to Andy. It is so

difficult to create and an angle there. That is when the net guy

could get involved. Do you think that is coming back into the game a

bit more in? Singles it seems to not have vanished but gone away, is it

coming back in doubles? Absolutely, it is a very the rested play.

-- trusted play. You must know, when you were

hitting, certain volley, if you went to body it was difficult. There is

no angles. It very much like that in doubles when you are serving volume.

You don't want them to have the angles. It makes it more central,

that is where the doubles part of the net can get involved.

Just distracted by a couple of spectator, a couple of late comers,

behind Bolelli. -- spectators.

That is two forehands he has hit in this game, that have not looked like

going over. Certainly nervous in his first game.

You can see the way he is breathing here, he is tight right now

Sometimes can happen, you don't want to lose your serve for sure.

Especially if he hasn't played a lot of doubles, he played in Miami but

we don't know what he has done before that, or since that, so...

Fognini used the eye formation, it is difficult to know where the

person that the net like Fognini is going to go, because he is right in

the centre. Do you on that though, if obviously if you had time on the

second serve, when somebody is playing that formation, do you make

up your mind where you are going to hit it? You have an idea where you

are going to go, but defend pending where the serve going you may shift

less because the angles don't work in his favour, so I have to commit

to my side but not as aggressively. -- depending.

The player at the net crouching down, close to the net on the the

centre line is something that Todd Woodbridge and Mark Wooded for will

bore you with, saying they invented it. They invent it for specific

opponents. Some great names from the '80s. They

brought it for specific players, now it is so commonplace.

What a team they were though. The Woodies.

-- Mark Woodford. Well played.

Great pick up. He was lazy with his volley there, it was almost like it

was a foregone conclusion he was going to put this ball away, he

didn't really go for that one as enough as he should have done. Great

pick up from Murray. Good day for Colin Fleming. He maybe

feeling it there under that overhead, put it away nicely. But

from being the senior partner, alongside Dominic in the last match,

he is now alongside Andy Murray, stepping back in to the breach.

We have seen a little pattern, when they have, ground stroke, they seem

to be targeting Colin Fleming early in the match, that maybe because he

hasn't played a match here yet, he might be still trying to get his

bearings a bit. And he is not Andy Murray. He is not Andy Murray who is

settled. He has played today. He is seeing the ball like a football,

really. Maybe the tactics might change as they go along. Colin is a

stronger volleyer, but he is still cold, still needs to get himself

into this match, so maybe that is why at the beginning they are trying

to attack him. Lots of option, Britain in doubles

these days, when you think that Dom is having to put up with our company

this weekend, then you have a couple of Wimbledon champions in Jamie

Murray. Not able to get anywhere team at the moment and Ross Hutchins

on the bench of course. He had that one lined up half an

hour before he hit it! Good rallying from Fleming from a

very deep position. It will be interesting to see, I I

think that may well be what gives Britain the edge, is the fact that

our net will be moving looking to cross, I don't see don't see the

Italians doing that much. Maybe I will be wrong and they will add that

dynamic toe their game. If the net guy is not moving you feel more

comfortable, going across court. There is no pressure coming.

Ferocious forehand there. Right on to advertising hoardings,

you will see it here. Back in. You have to have an adept body

swerve. Get out of the way of some of the drives you know are going out

Absolutely. Looks like Murray so far is slowing

his serve down a bit, trying to get that, as you were saying earlier,

high percentage of first serve, you see the what happens on the second

serve, they can really get the ball down low, when it is not even a

volley, that high percentage of serves from both player, I think.

That one he went for a bigger one and made it. ? You are right. The

second serves as you mentioned earlier, the second serves are slow,

and that will give the Italians an opportunity to attack, you want to

give as few as opportunity. Slowing down the first serve is not such a

bad play. If you expect a bit of a gun coming

at you, over 200 and sud his you see a kick e you might be be early.

Well held. I knew he was joking because Fognini had a few words with

the umpire and Murray was like, "If you can have a word with the umpire,

so can I." Game point. Definitely targeting the Bolelli on

every serve there. So good from that position, if, you

shouldn't be missing those anywhere but they are deadly accurate from

that sort of position. Once that ball gets up in the air...

Again, that, there is something there he thought it was going to be

a high backhand, maybe slightly in the body. It is going to be

difficult for Fognini to redirect that line, so as a result, Colin

nudges over slightly, it wasn't a full cross, it was more of a pinch

as we call it, where you get close to the centre, as a result you have

that high volley and do damage. Scenes from the day so far in

Naples. The captain emphasising the prematch

instructions, I am sure, to Colin Fleming on the left and the familiar

face of Andy Murray. Just a few pointers to think of. The

key moments perhaps. I like the way that Leon Smith brings his

personality on to court, you know, he is not afraid to stand in front

of Andy Murray, is he and emphasise what they will have talked about

prematch? Definitely. He will come out there, that is his job on the

court, to see things that Andy can't see, because he is there in the heat

of the moment. He will say "These guys may be serving here, they like

to return here." They are always doing this. Things that you won't

notice and you need, it is great to have that, as a little extra piece

of information. He has just whacked that spare ball.

It was definitely out. He is holding his hand up in apology. These things

happen. He hasn't got that going at all. He

is missing them by a long way. He is not even getting close to them. That

is 3 he has dumped in the middle of the net. They are not difficult

shots either. You would think those once he would be feeding right into

them. He has time to hit the dipper. It is still a bit tight.

-- those ones. It is early stages here, he might go on the play a

blinder, but on early evidence Bolelli appears to be a bit of weak

link. How much of a factor can that be when one player is having a bad

day? It can be a big factor, he can think I am letting down the team and

as a result this could snowball, get worse and worse.

What point was. He didn't do badly there, did he? I have changed my

mind, he's the best player on the court. That was fantastic doubles.

Did that point have everything? That will give his confidence a boost. I

should say. Good move there from Fleming. Made a

quick move there and then pulled back and you could see, it put

Bolelli off and he rushed that forehand. Andy seems to be hitting

his forehand pretty flat, not getting it much loop, and that it

may be causing Bolelli to have difficulties, he is expecting a

heavier ball instead of the flat one that is getting through.

Even though they lost that game, I would still say that was sort of a

good game for the British pair. They were close. Absolutely, we mentioned

it before, compound pressure. We were able to get out of it at this,

but what about 5-5, a tie-break? Rightly annoyed with himself there,

Fognini. Did the important part, got the return nice and low and then

missed the forehand. Well, -- well played, Britain. Good

return by Murray, shortened up the court.

A decent finish by Fleming as well, that backhand not that easy.

A little too ambitious there. That is a 40-0 point. I'm not sure he

would have gone for that at 30-30. Good scramble by Bolelli, though.

That a 40-0 volley that Murray went for on the angle now, not such a

comfortable game. This is the first big test for the British pair.

Normally on the ATP Tour, this would be a sudden-death deuce.

Complaining, as he might, about a bad bounce.

That is the first occasion where we saw the sort of down the middle,

where they weren't quite sure. Andy thought he was going to hit it and

that the last minute, backed off. They did well to keep themselves in

the rally, but in the end, lost out. An important hold for Britain, still

going with serve in the opening set of the doubles, 4-3. Strange

goings-on indoors in Geneva, meanwhile. This is the match to

determine who Britain could play in the semifinals, if they get that

far. Switzerland at 1-1 with Kazakhstan after day one, but in the

doubles, listen to this, Federer and Wawrinka are two sets to love down.

Goodness me. They have just lost the second set tie-break, 7-5, to your

mate, Golubev and his chum. Korolev. He is a strong player, but

I wasn't expecting that result. It isn't a result yet. Federer and

Wawrinka, numbers four and three respectively in the singles. What a

boost that could be for Kazakhstan. It wouldn't be bad if you are down

2-1 and you have Federer and Wawrinka to come in the singles.

That is a pity there, they had a chance in that rally and Colin

seemed to take the wrong shot. I don't know what he was trying to do,

perhaps to hit it short. Should have won that point.

You just get the feeling, John, but this could be a match of a couple of

hundred points or more that gets decided by one or two. Yes.

This is what we are talking about, this sort of situation, in a key

game, the eighth game of the set. It is deuce for the first time on the

Italians' serve. He is looking at the court again.

Sorry, mate. It is your court. Your court.

Brave move from Murray and it pays off! Britain break for a 5-3 lead in

the first set. That is a very good cross. He went from a long way. He

had to hit that volley almost in the tramline. Very difficult when

someone is trailing down the line, he had the whole court and he did a

great job of bringing it back across court.

Bat was a venomous forehand by Andy. -- that was. Well, it is a

good tactic. Yes, it makes you think that next time come you can't give

them a short, easy volley, or you will get hit again. Subconsciously,

it gives you a bit of fear. That was a big forehand, it was his

old coach, Ivan Lendl, that used to do that.

He is just not returning well today, Bolelli. On the backhand, he

is really struggling. He has missed some big forehand is, but the

British pair, a very high percentage of first serves, he can't seem to

handle it when it gets up high at the moment.

I know that pain too well. It is very difficult as a single hander,

when the ball gets up to you to hit it inside out. That guy, you know,

doesn't have the move, it is difficult to you to get across

court. It is a tricky return and they seem to be peppering that one

side all the time. He knows how big a mistake that was.

They are talking about it being a double hit on the volley. I think

there was actually a pigeon on the side. That too. They can choose

whichever argument they want, they have got a two of them. And neither

one is going to wash with Carlos Ramos, I am afraid. I tell you

what. Forget the pigeon, we will take the pigeon... Where is it? It

is over there. A massive distraction! Everyone look at the

pigeon! Fleming hit it perfectly. I have never heard about stopping play

because of the pigeon. That is amazing! Are you kidding? A

half volley drop shot, set point. That is why Andy Murray has been

drafted in, right there. Beautiful touch, beautiful feel. Murray and

Fleming with the lead in this doubles. But definitely a moment of

controversy there on the penultimate point. That will not please Fabiola.

-- Fognini. I think the argument for them is double hit and two swings.

You are allowed a double hit, as famously done by Greg Rusedski one

year at Wimbledon, I think it was against Andy Roddick. The argument

would have been did he hold back and then adjust the face of his racket

head? The Italian TV director won't let it slide, that is the shore. So

the question is not did he hated twice, but did he just the face of

the racket -- hit it twice? It also looked like a bit of a carry. The

referee has been on court to try and make peace. There he is in the

background in the black sweater. A very experienced official. His job,

basically, is to listen to a lot of abuse over the weekend and then go

home and put his feet up. That is basically the role of a Davis Cup

referee. He had to deal with enough from Fognini in the singles and he

is trying to calm him down. Now Bolelli is going at him. I would go

home, if I were you. He is getting abuse from both sides, a barrage.

Just when he thought he was done with one, the other one tags in.

That is why it is a doubles team! This is great stuff. I love this. No

one can say this is boring. There is a lot of information there,

isn't there? You would think you were just want to say to him, " Just

calm down. " Not much chance of that. Meanwhile, at the more Serena

end of the court, Andy Murray and Colin Fleming are in the lead in the

doubles tie -- Serena. This is a good chance to take

advantage of the fact that they are still angry, having settled down.

And another bit of luck, just to rub it in. It is not Fognini's day so

far. What a chance this is for Britain

now to push the accelerator even further. When the Italians play, the

net guy always seems to be covering the crosscourt. To me, they have to

mix it up a bit more, they cannot just come across court, or if they

are, don't cover as much. Sometimes stay in the middle. They are not

doing much with the eye formation. It is for show.

Good move again by Fognini, just taking a little subtle ship because

he knows it is going to be difficult for Colin to hit back forehand -- a

little shuffle step. So just increasing the size of the area.

Bat is about the best return he has hit off the backhand. -- that is.

Finally got one down low enough, but at least he had a chance on the

second shot the pass. He has made very few of those first returns. And

that is what this team is based on, if they don't make those shots, they

have no chance. Again, a great move by Colin

Fleming, he just took a step to the right, giving a paint, and then

stepping back into the line -- feint. Sets up the point well. A

mistake by Bolelli not letting Fognini have the forehand.

People getting in touch with us on social media, regarding the Davis

Cup, the format. We'll go through your text messages and tweets at the

change of ends. Marie's return of serve has been so

good. It is very difficult for the Italians to do anything on the next

shot because he's belting a two or three feet from the baseline and

then charging behind it. It is almost impossible.

Yes, he has such a compact backswing, it doesn't look like

anything can go wrong. Uses all the pace, turns his body and gives it

right back. With potentially some added bite as well.

Good move. He probably needs doe a bit more of that. Unsettle Colin

when he is rallying. Very good cross. It is a brave time,

15-30. It is a fantastic return of serve

That is three in a row we have seen the hit and the come in afterwards

of pet thety goods serves. It requires good athleticism, where

they want to be, both at the net. But I bet they haven't played

anybody who is that deep. They have no shot at the next passing shot.

Oh. What is he doing now? Britain break. Oh dear.

What happened there was Bolelli's running sideways, not really kind of

shuffling but running sideways, he gets caught behind him. Doesn't know

what to do because his chest isn't facing the court. Why couldn't he

have hit that with a backhand? I think it was towards his right

shoulder, so it would be difficult to get it back from there. I think

he tried something special, I don't know.

Turned out great. Great Britain leading by one set to love. Good

discussion with the boys here and John before this match, rethe future

of Davis Cup and it is an ongoing debate. There has been rumbling on

for year, a lot of you suggesting a World Cup of tennis style

tournament. It is great in paper, it is the practice of it. The logistics

that takes the thinking, it is not insurmountable but it would take a

bit of planning. Well, it would but I think the ITF are so against it,

until you get the players agreeing it need to be changed the ITF are

happy. They are getting good crowds, and they are saying that the Davis

Cup is fine, it is not fine. It is as simple as that. When you

have half the top ten not playing and no-one knows who is in the final

unless you are a fanatic, the Davis Cup should be a cross over event

that people who are not that interested in tennis know about it,

they don't. It is simple. It is not, it doesn't get the publicity it

should do. It is a great event. It could be a great event. Manufacture

It is very different, in the world group, when you have the 16 elite

nations and some of the best players in the world and when you are down

in the zone, playing in countries that don't have any established

tournaments or anything like that, for those nations it is important,

the federations get a lot of money through the Davis Cup in those

nations, to develop the game. I agree.

I am sure you want want to loose that, are you suggesting separating

the competition? I am saying there should be some qualifying so you can

still get the countries... There is now. Spread that out so at least the

world group, the world group, you know, the top when it comes down two

week vent, they have a three year gap. The lower ranked countries play

through to it. -- event.

It is the top players you have to care about. Without them, the

competition die. If they are not happy about it you have to change

it, otherwise it is going to be devalued if you keep getting the top

players not playing the event. It can't work.

They are changing the format, Josh saying how about having more matches

played over three sets so all four members of the team have an

opportunity to play over the weekend? And five matches as it is,

on a weekend. I don't know how you could extend that. Suppose, I

suppose you could but... When you get a good tie and good players, the

format itself, single, doubles, reverse it is enough It is great nor

Italy and Great Britain. No-one else cares about this tie, I am saying

that the world, the finals, no-one knows about the final, other than

those two countries, I mean, the average person won't know who are in

the final last year, it shouldn't be bigger than that.

He will have to be careful here, they are a break down, they don't

want this match running away from them.

When you look at the way the Brits have come into this tactically, it

is almost, it is very simple what they are doing on return of serve.

It is difficult to execute it. What they are doing every time they get a

serve, first or second they are belting it and coming behind it. It

is easy to say that, but the way they have done it it is not easy and

Andy Murray in particular, and Maurice Clemmons, so far, have

secured the play perfectly. The Italians haven't settled. They have

no time to get into the rally. And Coll Fleming.

-- Colin Fleming. . That is the kind of serves he has to hit for Andy not

to come in. It takes away so much time, they are rushed and clay

courters like the time. They like slow bounce, take time to have a

look, hit it where they want, not suddenly get shoe laced off a return

at the back of the court. What are you supposed to do about

that? I was saying to you off air earlier I said it is most difficult

to play against in doubles against the singles guy who has played a

singles match that day. That is what Andy Murray has done. You can see

it, he is right on top of every single return, he is in the zone.

You often get it at some of the Masters vents on the tour, the one

week tournaments that all the top ten players are contracted to play.

Some of them, especially at the start of a new season, they will

play doubles as well. That must be from your point of view the

nightmare draw, almost, getting a tea time match against a Roger

Federer or a Rafael Nadal. Obviously they are difficult but they will

have certain holes in their game, because they don't play doubles on a

regular basis as I mentioned, if they have play singles that day and

come in later to play double, they are seeing the ball like a football.

Doesn't matter what you do with the serve, they are like thank you to

the fee, I will go down the line. I played Meltzer and I got crushed. He

was seeing it so well. It is difficult to do anything about it.

But a he has had a competitive match and he is aware of it so much

better. They say the ball looks like a football to them and it probably

does. He finished a year top ten in singles and doubles, but a rarity,

to that end. Do you think more of a top singles guy should play doubles?

Think, I would love them to, I think the more the better, the stronger

the competition the better to the game of double, sometimes it is

difficult when they have to play tough matches, and in doubles and in

singles it drains them, they have to think about their long careers.

Serving at 3 before 2, with a break. Second set.

Those are the sort of returns if you are not going to make those type of

return, that is where your game is based on, you are not winning the

match. That was the second serve, mid court to his forehand, sitting

up and he misses it by miles. What they have done, they have

clamped on them from the beginning, this man in the picture hasn't

settled. They might have been the best to

shots he hit. Very good return and that time stayed well on the return.

This is the sort of tennis he is capable of. Excellent return and

that one handed backhand is so good. It hasn't been today. On the return

I the time I have seen him play doubles was when he played on the

ad. It is easier to play that across cross court. It is beautiful, as we

say there, the fact has not made many returns inside out from the

deuce court has affected the rest of his game. Because he is lacking

confidence now. Any chance you might change sides if they lose this

second set? That is a good question. It defends on Fabio Fognini. What he

is saying. -- depends. That was a big point there. Second

serve, sitting. Dumps in in the bottom of the net.

Plenty of time, not even close. That is a sort of a bread-and-butter

return of serve for is one of his calibre.

Should be making those all day long. Just as the weaker partner starts to

rise up. It's... They are not combining, one plays Deasley and the

other plays badly. Murray has gone into a different play, some of the

points he plays. -- decently. You are right, that high one, he

just, he can't release it, he can't get it out of the way of his body or

something, he can't cope with it I am surprised he is not trying to rip

it down the line. Rip it at Colin, he will rip it back but they are

still in the points. Do you think he could run round? He needs to change

something up. He can't just be waiting for every time and not

getting enough of those in. He needs to change it up a little bit.

Brilliant spinnish. -- finish. Beautiful feel there.

The confidence is high, when the confidence is high you feel like you

can try every shot. Terrific support all weekend for the

British team. Pattern of play so far, it is the

British team which could be on its way to a 2-1, leading -- heading

into the final day. Only the second set, but evidence to suggest that

Britain can get this done. That was a pretty strong second

serve, but that is what he needs to do, there is no other answer. He has

to do something, the British pair, it is obvious what they are doing

and the Italians are doing nothing to combat it, they are just going

through a path where if they don't change something, they are out of

this match pretty quick. I think Bolelli need to do more.

They need to try something different.

Like that, you give Andy an opportunity just to, you know, put

it in there, cross court, and run in.

As Bolelli, you have to be thinking to yourself, OK, I have to change, I

have to help my partner out, I have to cross, I have to make Andy think

something else. If it doesn't work, I. Ala break down on the second set

but if it starts working, you know, you might build some momentum.

Oh yes. Ha, ha. Murray has hit some beautiful lobs today, if you weren't

with us early on BBC Two, a couple of special shots in the singles. I

saw the strength trainer right there in the British box, just saying it

is a joke. That spot on. The way Andy is playing... There we go.

Perfect evidence of that. You know, we talk about seeing the

tennis ball like a football, and there really, a classic example,

because when it comes off the centre of the racquet like that, you don't

have to do anything with it. You don't have to hit it too hard. All

about the timing. Sweetness personified. Bolelli tried to cross

there, that didn't work either. No. 5-2. Here is one for you, if we are

talking about Davis Cup format and with relevance to the way the

Italians are shaping up here, what about substitutions? In the doubles?

That is like they have in the States with the team tennis, that is the

same sort of thing. It is fun for the crowd. Captain... It would give

you an option as a Dane, if you are going two sets down and everything

you have tried doesn't work. You would kick them both out if I was

there. Put the captain in. The only difficulty would be if you decide to

put in one of your team-matings, he would have to come in cold, that is

the worry of injuries could happen. Maybe if he warms it, he could hit

some ball, it would be fun to watch! Are you saying I need to copyright

that? I would be bringing in monster servers, bringing them return

specialists on the return. You would have individual shot

specialists for your team. So, 6-3, 5-2.

Colin Fleming here. Serving for a two sets to love lead.

To that this is a routine match at moment. You wouldn't know who is the

home team here. Crowd are muted. Can hardly blame

them really. Fognini as number one player and the

captain of the team, so to speak with his ranking, he is no presence

whatsoever on the court. I mean, there is no, it is basically just,

there is nothing there. He is not the kind of doubles player should I

say who will be able to take change of this match. That is so good.

Really good. We are obviously going on about Andy Murray, rightly so,

but credit to Colin Fleming too, because he has backed up Andy Murray

very well. You still have half the court to cover, although Murray at

the moment could probably play on his own and win against nirks but

Colin Fleming has done a great job here too as well. -- against

anybody. Oh brilliant, Colin Fleming,

outstanding. Almost pushing Andy Murray out of way to win that point

and win that game, and win that set, for Great Britain. Great to watch.

Colin Fleming is doing a great job. His first volleys have been great

today. They have been putting great returns into his feet, he is saying

it doesn't matter, he is taking over the net. He has done a very good job

and Andy as well, no wonder they are cruising right now.

Two sets to love, Great Britain leads here in this quarter-final.

Reverse singles tomorrow. Britain must be confident from here.

Elsewhere, in this Davis Cup quarter-final weekend the Czech

Republic are throughless already, a 3-0 lead against Japan. Lukas Roscol

and Radek Stepanek doing the business and combining today to win

the doubles in straight sets. Czech Republic with a terrific

recent record in this competition. Germany are 2-0 up over France but

France are hitting back today. Llodra and Benneteau combining to

have a 2-0 lead in the doubles. Looks like that is going to be live

into the final day. We have added the second set on a

tie-break. Here is where it gets interesting. Indoors in Geneva by

the airport. Stanislas Wawrinka beaten on day one, the Australian

Open champion, Federer making it one all, two sets to one at the moment,

in favour of Kazakhstan, in the doubles.

Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka have won the third set, going with serve

in the fourth. But fair to say this year's Davis Cup is wide, wide-open.

It is wide-open and a question to you Dom, if you were, who would you

rather play? I suppose it is obvious, but would you rather have

the home match against Switzerland or the away match against

Kazakhstan? On paper, obviously, it is an easier match but you are away

from home. That is right. Who would you rather? I wonder. You know, if

you think about what, the unproven players, you think maybe Kazakhstan,

but to play at home in the semifinals of the Davis Cup against

Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka, I don't think anybody would want to

say no to that. You want to play the best players. I agree. It would be

great for the country to see such a showcase. It is the biggest Davis

Cup tie since the classic match against the USA in 1999 when John

was on the coaching bench, alongside his brother as captain. I think this

could be bigger. You have three Grand Slam winners in the line up. A

lot of tennis to be played before then. Looking at the ties the way

they are, looking at the way Britain are playing, I don't think there is

any reason Britain couldn't go on and win the Davis Cup this year. I

said that earlier on, you have Andy Murray who is going to win two

singles against anybody, unless maybe an away match if he was

playing Spain, but that is not going to happen. We have great doubles

players now. Why can't you win it? Absolutely. Well, somehow the

Italians have got to master mind a come back here.

From two sets to love down, having only won five games in the match so

far. Having been outmanoeuvred. The level would have to get better. You

would think they would relax a bit. Maybe they will express themselves a

bit more, but... I would be intrigued to see if they do what you

suggested. I think they should change sides. It is not working the

other way. It certainly is not. I would be working on, telling them

you have to serve, you have to place your serves better to Murray.

Oh. They probably discussed that, how about going wide to the forehand

and see if that works. Then they look at the captain. "Idiot." There

is man who speaks from experience. Worth emphasising if you are

unfamiliar with the format of the Davis Cup, this might be

all-important on the middle Saturday Saturday of this tie, but even if

itly lose this, they can still win the tie, two more singles matches

tomorrow. -- on the middle Saturday of this

tie. Great work at the net again. Good

reactions. Putting up a great wall at the net.

It is demoralising from an Italian point of view. They are doing the

eye again, they are leaving it lying, I think the Brits are going

line on the return, and there is no point really. No point at all If you

are not going to mix it up. They have a target they can aim for, the

British pair, there is no threat to them.

Here is a thought. How about a serve and volley? They have done that from

the first point without doing it, why not? I hadn't even thought of

that. It is a bit worrying when we do not even think that is an option

for them. I do not know if I would like to see Andy Murray's returns

going to a low volley, that could be frightening.

Beautiful backhand from Bolelli, inside out that is a very difficult

shot. Be able to dip that, very impressive. Even at this point,

Murray still somehow stayed in it, I know he ultimately lost the point

but I think that half-volley made it. I think that the air is thinking

that if he can hit Murray in the face, they might win by default!

Very good cross. They need to do more than that. They have done it

once every three or four service games, basically.

I think it could be an early round of the world shoulder shrugging

championship going on there. At least they managed to string

together some decent points, they need that, very inconsistent today

so far. They are not changing sides on the returns. With their returns a

serve, not to have broken once on a clay court, they have not really got

close. I think one game, they had a chance, other than that, it has been

relatively comfortable. It is not over yet. Got to try something

different. That has gone long again from

Fognini. No break points, let alone breaks of serve. That is a terrible

serve. To win the best point and have your better return, then have

the next point, you think you can get into the game and that is a

terrible mistake. A service hold from Fleming at the

end of the second set. One for Murray at the start of the third.

Really combining nicely today. They are all over the place, Italy,

they looked rudderless. You wonder who is taking the lead, this man,

Fognini, is much higher ranked in the singles list. Bolelli, the

younger of the two, then there is the captain as well, but who's

taking charge of the situation? Britain don't care. Another opening

for Fleming and Murray. It looks like the fire has gone out of them.

Just to see Murray's reaction there, he is so greedy for every point. He

missed that one return, it is not like he has missed the whole match,

he is not happy when he this is just one. He is only spinning his serve

in in three quarters pace and he not making any first serves.

Just rushed that a little. Such a good point there as well, to break

points now. I think he went for the tag to be honest. He was trying to

hit the man rather than when the point and try and go low. -- win the

point and try and go low. That is the sort of one where you

want a mishit return, isn't it? When the guys cross at the net, a lot of

open net. It forces Colin to hit the tougher return and he missed it.

You sense he is on the verge of losing it, Fognini. That second

serve almost as strong as the first. He is going to have to come out

tomorrow and play the number-1 singles match, first up, against

Murray. Quite possibly, quite probably to save the tie. So this

could have psychological damage. I wonder if they get broken here,

maybe that is what he will stop thinking about tomorrow?

He must be, when you think of it, he has won so few points to doubles to

Murray, Murray has taken his serve and made it look like it is not even

there. I know doubles is different to singles, but he has done such

damage to him psychologically with that. I would think it is going to

be big. Look at that length, is just so

good. But it this way, John, ahead of the time without a ball being

hit, you might have said Fognini against Murray against the final day

was close on paper when you bring in the home advantage to Italy and his

excellent form on clay, Fognini. Now off the back of pitch, -- the back

of this, it's all changed. Great vision from Fleming. Spotted

the gaps there, not the obvious one. Another break point for Britain. The

fourth in the game. I think Colin might just know that,

it is almost like a virtual match point if you can get that break. It

is a bit of pressure, thinking, if I can get this point, it could be well

over. A good recovery from Fleming met to

make Acra to play one more touch shot at the net. So Italy survive.

-- he made Bolelli play one more touch shot at the net.

A nice collection of images from the day's play so far, which I think can

be summarised with the simple fact that Britain are ahead. And things

are not going the local's way. Still important they focus here. A lot of

break point opportunities, it lull after you had an opportunity to kill

off the match and did not take it. -- it is easy to fall into a lull.

Did the hard work there, Colin Fleming. Missed the easy one.

The Italians are targeting Fleming now. At winning forehand from