LONDON — Great Britain’s Davis Cup team, spearheaded by a new-look doubles pairing, navigated a tense and potentially perilous situation to secure a commanding 3-0 victory over Norway in their World Group I play-off tie at the Copper Box Arena. The heroics of debutant Julian Cash and his partner Lloyd Glasspool in the decisive doubles rubber ensured Britain advanced to the 2024 Davis Cup Finals Qualifying Round without dropping a point.
The tie began with predictable solidity as British No. 1 Cameron Norrie dispatched Norway’s Viktor Durasovic 6-1, 6-3. Norrie, playing his first Davis Cup match on home soil since 2019, was in control throughout, breaking serve four times and showcasing the baseline consistency that has made him a mainstay of the British team. His victory set the stage for Jack Draper to potentially seal the tie in the second singles rubber.
Draper, the powerful 22-year-old left-hander, faced a sterner test against world No. 324 Andreja Petrovic. After cruising through the first set 6-1, Draper encountered unexpected resistance. Petrovic raised his level dramatically in the second set, breaking Draper’s serve and forcing errors with aggressive shot-making. Draper managed to regain his composure just in time, breaking back to force a tie-break, which he eventually clinched 7-6(5) after saving a set point. "It was a real battle out there," Draper admitted afterwards.
The Doubles Decider: A Nerve-Shredding Affair
With Britain leading 2-0, the pressure should have been off. Instead, the doubles match transformed into a high-stakes thriller. British captain Leon Smith made a strategic selection, opting for the new pairing of Lloyd Glasspool, a doubles specialist, and Julian Cash, a late call-up making his Davis Cup debut. They faced the experienced Norwegian duo of Durasovic and Petrovic, who were riding a wave of confidence from Petrovic’s strong performance against Draper.
The British pair started brightly, using their superior net play and powerful serving to take the first set 6-3. However, the Norwegians refused to capitulate. Capitalising on a dip in the Brits' first-serve percentage and some uncharacteristic volley errors, they fought back to take the second set 6-3, sending the match into a championship tie-break—a first-to-ten-points shootout to decide the rubber and, technically, the tie.
The tension in the Copper Box was palpable. Norway raced to a 4-1 lead in the tie-break, putting Great Britain on the brink of a shocking defeat in the rubber. The prospect of needing to win the remaining reverse singles on Sunday suddenly loomed. It was at this critical juncture that Cash and Glasspool’s partnership showed its mettle. They reeled off five consecutive points, with Cash particularly impressive at the net, to seize a 6-4 advantage.
Norway saved one match point, but on the second, a fierce Glasspool return forced an error from Petrovic, sealing a 6-3, 3-6, [10-7] victory. The relief and joy on the British players' faces was evident. "That was a proper Davis Cup atmosphere," said a beaming Julian Cash post-match. "To come back from 4-1 down in the match tie-break with the crowd behind us was incredible."
Strategic Masterstroke and Team Dynamics
Captain Leon Smith’s decision to pair Glasspool with Cash, rather than the more established Neal Skupski, raised eyebrows but was vindicated. Smith explained his rationale, highlighting specific strengths that countered the Norwegian threat:
- Net Dominance: Both Cash and Glasspool are aggressive, front-foot players, crucial for controlling the net.
- Complementary Skills: Cash’s elite returning paired with Glasspool’s powerful serving created a balanced partnership.
- Fresh Energy: Smith wanted to inject new energy and saw the tie as a perfect opportunity for a debut.
The move also underscored the growing depth in British tennis. With Andy Murray and Dan Evans absent, and Joe Salisbury injured, Smith had multiple credible options. The performance of Cash, a late addition to the squad after impressing in practice, is a testament to the system supporting British players. "Jules [Cash] was phenomenal," Smith stated. "For a debut, under that pressure, to play like that was outstanding. Lloyd led the partnership brilliantly."
Looking Ahead: The Qualifying Round
With this victory, Great Britain progresses to the 2024 Davis Cup Qualifying Round, scheduled for February 2024. They will be one of 24 nations competing for 12 spots in the Finals group stage. The draw for the Qualifiers will be made later this year, with Britain likely to be seeded and hoping for a home tie. The team’s objective remains clear: to return to the elite eight-team Finals week, a stage they last reached in 2023.
This tie also provided valuable answers for Captain Smith. The singles strength of Norrie and Draper remains the bedrock, but the emergence of a reliable second doubles pairing beyond Skupski and Salisbury is a significant boost. The resilience shown by Cash and Glasspool under extreme pressure will be a huge confidence builder for the team moving forward.
Conclusion: A Scare Worth Having
While the 3-0 scoreline suggests a straightforward weekend for Great Britain, the reality was far more gripping. The doubles scare served as a timely reminder of the unique pressures of Davis Cup, where national pride and format can level the playing field. Ultimately, the team demonstrated the necessary grit and adaptability to overcome a spirited Norwegian challenge.
The performances of Julian Cash and, to a slightly lesser extent, Jack Draper in navigating difficult moments, provide positive indicators for the future. As Lloyd Glasspool summarised, "It’s never easy in Davis Cup, no matter what the rankings say. We got tested today, came through it as a team, and that’s what matters. We’re through to the next round." Britain’s Davis Cup journey continues, bolstered by a new doubles pairing that passed its first major test under fire.