Murray Up For Brotherly Battle in Davis Cup

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Murray Up For Brotherly Battle in Davis Cup

A brotherly battle could be the pivotal point when Davis Cup return to its roots.

Andy Murray says it will be fun to play with older brother Jamie Murray against the world No. 1 team of Mike and Bob Bryan when Great Britain hosts the United States in the March 6-8th World Group opener in Glasgow.

"Yeah. I think we played them a couple of times, obviously not before in Davis Cup," Murray told the media in Dubai. "And, yeah, obviously fun to play against them. They are for sure one of the best doubles team to ever play and great ambassadors for the sport."

The tie revives the rivalry between the two nations that contested the first Davis Cup in history back in 1900. Last year February, Murray beat Sam Querrey on a red clay court built in the outfield of San Diego's Petco Park to clinch Britain's 3-1 victory over the host Americans. The Bryan brothers defeated Colin Fleming and Dominic Inglot to account for the lone American point.

The Murray brothers have played Davis Cup doubles together once previously defeating Luxembourg's Laurent Bram and Mike Veermeer, 7-5, 6-2, 6-0, in a 2011 tie also staged in Glasgow.

The two-time Grand Slam champion says he feels more pressure playing with Jamie at ATP events — where his older brother's livelihood depends upon the outcome — than in Davis Cup where they're playing for their country.

"I think Davis Cup for me is maybe easier than, you know, playing on regular tour events because in Davis Cup we aren't playing, you know, for ranking points and money," Murray said. "You're playing to win for your country. It's not like I'm playing to help my brother out. I'm playing to help, you know, to try and win matches for the team.

"I do feel a lot of pressure when I'm playing with my brother in tour events just because if we lose in the first round he doesn't make any money or a living that week, really. He will lose money."

Bryan brothers

Murray and 108th-ranked James Ward are the likely singles starters for the host. John Isner and Delray Beach finalist Donald Young are the American singles starters. Though Young retired in the third set of his Acapulco opener against compatriot Ryan Harrison citing a wrist injury, it is not believed to be a serious issue.

British captain Leon Smith could choose to pair Inglot, who partnered Florin Mergea to upset the Bryan twins at the Australian Open last month, with either Murray brother.

"I think Davis Cup, you know, will be much easier to just go out and play, yeah, if we play together," Murray said. "I don't know if that will be the case or not, because Dom Inglot's played extremely well and beat the Bryans in Australia."

Photo credit: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

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