- Title: TENNIS-DAVIS/BRITAIN-FRANCE Britain and France ready for Davis Cup clash
- Date: 16th July 2015
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 16, 2015) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF DAVIS CUP TROPHY JOURNALISTS WAITING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE TO START FRENCH TEAM ARRIVING BRITISH TEAM ARRIVING DRAW FOR DAVIS CUP QUARTER FINAL TIES BEING DRAWN NAMES OF PLAYERS BEING DRAWN FROM GLASS BOWL TWO SINGLES MATCHES - FRANCE'S GILLES SIMON V BRITAIN'S JAMES
- Embargoed: 31st July 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: United Kingdom
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVACMF8IW7AVX0J4WB3SA5P1159T
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Britain's world number three Andy Murray is expecting a difficult and physical battle in the Davis Cup quarter final clash with France, which begins on Friday (July 17).
Britain, who beat the United States in the last round, have been drawn against last year's losing finalists France in the quarter final, which will take place at London's Queen's Club.
Speaking at a ceremony to draw this weekend's matches, Murray, who lost to Roger Federer in last week's Wimbledon semi-final, says that France possess a great team.
"No, I wouldn't say that winning this year is a chance of a lifetime because we are playing against a great team. It is not like this is an amazing opportunity because the draw has opened up, or this is an easy match or we have an easy path through to the final, this is an extremely tough tie. Beating the (United) States was tough too. It is an opportunity, obviously, but opportunity of a lifetime? For me personally, no, I don't agree with that at all," said the Scot on Thursday (July 16).
Murray has been drawn against world number 12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in one of the singles ties on Friday, after Gilles Simon plays James Ward earlier in the day.
Murray has only lost once to Tsonga in their last ten meetings but is aware of the big Frenchman's physical abilities, particularly on grass.
"I think he is a very good athlete," he said.
"He is a strong guy so he can generate - he is an explosive player so he can serve big, he can get into the net quickly, he can be dangerous when he is in positions where you feel like you have the advantage - he can come up with some great shots from there. He likes the grass, he likes coming forward and playing up at the net. The things I look for are to come and play a very consistent match, from start to finish, and if his level drops at times, or he makes a few errors in a row, I will try to capitalise on that. But, he is a tough, tough player to beat on this service."
Whilst Murray may be the clear first choice in the British team, France posses three players, in Tsonga, Simon and Wimbledon semi-finalist Richard Gasquet, who are in very similar form.
The three Frenchmen occupy 11-13 in the men's world rankings, and the strength in depth of the French team has created a selection headache for captain Arnaud Clement.
Clement, who won the Davis Cup in 2001 as a player, said he has chosen Tsonga and Simon for Friday's singles as Gasquet needed more time to recover since his Wimbledon semi-final loss to eventual winner Novak Djokovic.
"They are all very close (in ability). Richard (Gasquet) needed a little more time for recovery after his (Wimbledon) semi-final last week. Gilles (Simon) and Jo (Wilfried Tsonga) have a little more time to prepare for the tie on the grass court of the Queen's Club. That is the reason, they are all very close so for me it was a logical choice," said Clement.
Clement also said that he and his team had learnt a lot from their defeat in last year's final.
"Of course, it was painful for all of the team - that is still the case. But, it was a great experience also and it means a lot to have a team still very motivated after this hard moment. So, maybe we are stronger today than last year," said the former world number 10.
Despite his recent record against Murray, Tsonga said he is feeling good ahead of the match-up and is confident he can cause an upset on the grass at Queens.
"I am sure it is going to be difficult because he (Andy Murray) is one of the best players on grass. But, today, I am feeling good, I am in good shape. I have already beaten him, once or twice. The most important thing for me is to know that it is possible to beat Andy and I will try to come onto the court with my best tennis and we will see the results at the end," he said.
Serbia face Argentina in Buenos Aires in the other big quarter-final tie. The other two quarter finals are between Australia and Kazakhstan and Belgium host Canada. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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