GLASGOW — Great Britain seized a commanding 2-0 lead in their Davis Cup World Group I play-off tie against Poland on Friday, putting them on the brink of securing a spot in the 2025 qualifiers.
Cameron Norrie and Arthur Fery delivered two impressive straight-sets victories at the Emirates Arena, overcoming a partisan Polish crowd and the pressure of the national team competition to put their nation firmly in control. The tie is a must-win for both nations, with the loser relegated to World Group II.
Norrie Battles Back to Set the Tone
World No. 31 Cameron Norrie was tasked with giving GB the perfect start against Poland's highest-ranked player, the formidable 24-year-old Kacper Żuk. Norrie, however, found himself in an early hole, broken in the opening game and trailing 3-1 in the first set.
Displaying the resilience that has become his trademark, Norrie weathered the storm and began to impose his baseline game. He broke back to level the set at 3-3 and eventually forced a tie-break, which he dominated 7-1 to snatch the set from the grip of his opponent.
The momentum firmly in his corner, Norrie was relentless in the second set. He broke Żuk’s serve twice and closed out a hard-fought 7-6(1), 6-2 victory to put the first point on the board for the hosts.
Reflecting on his performance, Norrie said:
"It was a tough match. Kacper came out firing and I had to dig deep. The crowd was incredible and really helped me through that first set. Winning the tie-break was massive, and I was able to play much more freely after that. It was important to get that first point for the team."
Fery Steps Up in Debut Triumph
With veteran Dan Evans sidelined due to injury, GB captain Leon Smith made the bold decision to hand a Davis Cup debut to 21-year-old Arthur Fery. The world No. 392, who plays college tennis at Stanford University, was handed the daunting task of facing former world No. 48, Hubert Hurkacz.
Fery, playing with fearless aggression and a stunning serve, rose to the occasion magnificently. He stunned the Polish team by breaking Hurkacz early and never looked back, serving brilliantly to take the first set 6-3.
The second set was a tighter affair, but Fery’s composure belied his years and experience. He saved crucial break points and capitalized on his own opportunities, breaking Hurkacz once more to seal a memorable 6-3, 6-2 victory and send the Glasgow crowd into raptures.
An elated Fery described the moment as a dream come true:
"It's an unbelievable feeling. To represent my country in Davis Cup is what I've dreamed of since I was a kid. I knew I had to be aggressive and take my chances against a player of Hubi's quality. I'm just so happy I could contribute to the team and get us that second point."
Path to Victory and Looking Ahead
With a 2-0 lead, Great Britain needs just one more victory from Saturday’s three scheduled rubbers to win the tie. The day will feature the doubles match followed by the two reverse singles rubbers.
The key matches for Saturday are:
- The doubles rubber, likely featuring GB's Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski against Poland's Jan Zieliński and a partner.
- The potential clinching match, which could see Cameron Norrie return to face Hubert Hurkacz in a blockbuster showdown.
- If needed, a fifth rubber between Arthur Fery and Kacper Żuk.
GB captain Leon Smith was full of praise for his team’s performance:
"I'm incredibly proud of both Cam and Arthur today. Cam showed all his fight and experience to turn that match around, and for Arthur to deliver a performance like that on his debut was just sensational. We're in a great position, but the job is not done yet. We stay focused and prepare for tomorrow."
A victory in this tie is crucial for Great Britain’s Davis Cup ambitions. Winning ensures they remain in World Group I for 2024 and have a chance to advance to the 2025 Qualifiers, the gateway to the prestigious Davis Cup Finals week. Defeat would mean relegation to World Group II, a significant setback for a nation that won the competition as recently as 2015.
The Polish team, now with their backs firmly against the wall, will need a remarkable turnaround on Saturday. All hopes will rest on their top player, Hurkacz, delivering wins in both the doubles and his potential singles match against Norrie to keep the tie alive.
Conclusion: One Step Away
Great Britain’s performance on the opening day was a perfect blend of experienced grit and youthful exuberance. Norrie’s victory provided the stable foundation, while Fery’s stunning debut win has given the team a potentially decisive cushion.
The team now stands just one win away from achieving its objective and setting its sights on a return to the Davis Cup Finals. The atmosphere in Glasgow is expected to be electric once more as the home team looks to complete the job and secure their place in the competition for the coming year.