Without tennis superstar Rafael Nadal, Spain had a hard time at the start of the Davis Cup against Great Britain.
In the World Group, the British equalled the five-time winner in the second singles 1:1. The winner of the match will play either Germany or Australia in the quarter-finals. Defending champions France also started the competition with a surprising defeat.
In front of about 8000 spectators in Marbella, Cameron Norrie of Great Britain defeated the Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in 4:05 hours 4:6,3:6,6:3,6:3,6:2,6:2. Norrie, the world’s number 114, played his first professional match on clay at his Davis Cup debut – and went over five sets for the first time. The injured Murray then twittered:”One of the craziest results I’ve seen on a tennis court in a long time!”
Earlier, Albert Ramos-Vinolas had won the first point for Spain against Liam Broady. Great Britain lacks three Grand Slam winners Andy Murray and Australian Open semi-finalist Kyle Edmund.
French number one Lucas Pouille had to cancel the French number one Lucas Pouille because of a stiff neck and was replaced by Adrian Mannarino. The world rankings-25. Thiemo de Bakker was defeated by Thiemo de Bakker 6:7 (4:7), 3:6,3:6,3:6:6. In the second singles match in Albertville, the favourite Frenchman Richard Gasquet beat Robin Haase in four sets.
Switzerland are trailing 2-0 after the first day without superstars Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka against Kazakhstan. Between Japan and Italy it is 1:1 before the doubles on Saturday.