James Ward’s epic victory over American John Isner has given Britain a 2-0 lead in their Davis Cup clash. The world number 111 won 6-7 (5-7) 5-7 6-3 7-6 (7-3) 15-13 in Glasgow, in a match that ran for almost five hours.
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Ward needed six match points to see of the world number 20, as the pair played out the longest match in the competition’s history. His win follows the success of Andy Murray, who beat Donald Young 6-1 6-1 4-6 6-2 earlier in the day.
“This is by far the best atmosphere I’ve ever been involved in and thank you very much to all the crowd,” added Ward. “It was difficult. I had a lot of chances in the last set. It was an unbelievable match.”
In response, Isner admitted: “It’s brutal. I’m barely going to sleep tonight, it’s awful. I’m healthy. Mentally I’m certainly a bit shaken right now but I’ve got to be a professional and bring my best on Sunday. I don’t feel too chipper right now but I’ll let it rip on Sunday if that match is live.”
The best-of-five tie match-up continues with Saturday’s doubles, before the reverse singles on Sunday. Britain pulled off a shock victory in the head-to-head with the Americans last year, and are now on the verge of repeating the trick.
“It’s really tough for the USA now at two matches down,” said GB captain Leon Smith. “But they have Jim Courier as captain and he will not let them go down without a fight.”
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