Groth pumped for Davis Cup Doubles
Sam Groth is pumped to play a potentially crucial Davis Cup doubles rubber against Great Britain.
Melbourne Park, Melbourne VIC 3001, Australia, 15 September 2015 | AAP
Davis Cup doubles doesn’t come any bigger than Saturday’s must-win showdown between Australia and Great Britain in Glasgow.
A place in the 2015 Cup final goes on the line at the Emirates Stadium and the day-two doubles match-up could almost certainly decide the tie.
British number one Andy Murray carries a 15-0 winning record over Australian opponents, with the world No.3’s streak stretching back a decade. But while Murray might be the favourite going into his singles rubbers, Bernard Tomic, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Sam Groth or Hewitt will be more than confident of taking care of whoever British captain Leon Smith chooses as his No.2 singles option.
Kyle Edmund is the world No.100 and James Ward ranked 141st after slumping to eight straight defeats since his run to the Wimbledon third round.
The stage is well and truly set for one of the most significant doubles encounters in Australian Davis Cup history.
Jamie Murray, who has partnered Australian John Peers to back-to-back grand slam finals at Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows, is a lock for one of the British spots. Smith is weighing up his options, with Andy Murray and Dom Inglot both proven candidates to partner the older Murray sibling.
Whoever Smith chooses, Sam Groth is pumped about the prospect of playing in Glasgow.
“The doubles is always crucial but when you have someone like Andy in the opposing team who it’s very tough to win singles against, the doubles becomes even more important,” he told AAP.
“I’m extremely excited about playing. I believe we are good enough to win.
“Lleyton has always played his best in Davis Cup and I think in Darwin we both proved we can win and perform in a situation where our backs are against the wall and the pressure is on.”