The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsAndy Murray has brought Great Britain level with France in the first day of their Davis Cup quarterfinal, as he defeated Jo Wilfried Tsonga 7-5 7-6 6-2. The Frenchman provided a stern test for Murray in the first two sets but he eventually succumbed to the world number three.
In the opening set, both players settled into the match quickly to hold their service games quite comfortably. Even though Murray was unable to convert a set point at 5-4 on Tsonga’s serve, it was the Frenchman who was still under pressure as the set reached its conclusion. Finally, Murray made the crucial breakthrough to edge the set 7-5, when his low return forced Tsonga to net his attempted volley.
However, Tsonga immediately responded at the start of the second set as he swiftly broke Murray en route to establishing a 2-0 lead. The advantage did not last long though, as Murray retrieved the break with an exquisite return, and the set eventually reached the tiebreak. The Frenchman raced into a 3-0 lead in the tie-break with some inspired tennis, but the Brit again clawed his way back to level. Both men saw set points come and go as the tension mounted, but Murray survived to secure the set when Tsonga placed a forehand wide.
The third set was much more routine for the Brit, as he gained an early break of serve to take complete control of the match. Tsonga threatened to recover the break, but Murray stood firm to keep his opponent at bay. From this point, the Frenchman was deflated and his spirit was finally crushed after Murray sealed another break of serve with a fine return. Even though Tsonga bravely fended off three match points, Murray was not to be denied and the he completed the victory to keep Great Britain’s hopes alive.
Earlier in the day, Gilles Simon gave France the lead as the Frenchman saw off James Ward 6-4 6-4 6-1. Simon, on the back of another impressive run at Wimbledon on the grass, gave the British number two little room for error and he wrapped up an impressive win for the favourites.
