‘Murray will do great job at Davis Cup’

MADRID: Andy Murray will do a “great job” when he continues his comeback from injury at next week’s inaugural Davis Cup Finals in Madrid, British captain Leon Smith said on Sunday.

The former world number one claimed his first ATP title since 2017 last month in Antwerp to raise hopes that he could return to the top of the game despite needing career-saving hip surgery earlier this year.

Murray, who inspired Britain to the 2015 Davis Cup title, will line up alongside his older brother Jamie, Dan Evans, Kyle Edmund and Neal Skupski at the Caja Magica. “Andy feels great,” said Smith. “He’s obviously extremely happy to be back in tennis. “He’s training unbelievably hard to get back to his best position, with great focus.

“If he’s picked to play, then I know he will do a great job on the court. That’s not ego, that’s confidence of course. “He’s still a very good tennis player, he’s pushing (the other) guys ahead. And at the same time, you realise what he’s gone through.”

Britain, who were handed a wildcard for the first tournament since the old World Group was scrapped, will be favourites to progress from a Group E which also features Kazakhstan and the Netherlands. The teams will face off in two best-of-three-set singles matches in each tie, with one doubles rubber.