Davis Cup 2016: Gloomy Dan Evans in no mood to talk up chances against Japan

Briton faces world No 6 Kei Nishikori in his opening match

Dan Evans practises in Birmingham ahead of his Davis Cup match with Kei Nishikori (Getty)

It would have been good to report that Dan Evans was in buoyant mood here after learning of his selection in Britain’s Davis Cup team to play Japan this weekend, but the 25-year-old was in typically unpredictable form as he talked about the prospect of playing in front of his home crowd.

Did the world No 157 expect to have lots of friends and family in the 9,000-capacity Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham as Britain begin their defence of the trophy? “Not that many,” a deadpan Evans said, his apparently lugubrious mood emphasised by his Brummie accent. “Just some of my family are coming to watch.”

Considering that he was world No 763 only seven months ago after struggling with a knee problem, could Evans have imagined then that he would be here now? “Not really,” he said. “I just took it match by match and tournament by tournament.”

Order of play

 

Friday’s opening singles  (1pm start; GB names first) 

A Murray v T Daniel 
D Evans v K Nishikori 

Saturday’s doubles (2pm)

D Inglot & J Murray v  Y Nishioka & Y Uchiyama 

Sunday’s closing singles (1pm)

A Murray v K Nishikori
D Evans v T Daniel

TV BBC1/2

With Kei Nishikori, his opening-day opponent, would Evans take encouragement from his remarkable victory over the world No 6 in their only previous meeting, at the US Open three years ago? “It was a long time ago now,” Evans said. “I don’t really remember much.”

Instead it was left to Leon Smith, Britain’s captain, to talk up Evans’ chances. “He’s fully fit, plays well indoors, has good Davis Cup experience and is ready to go,” Smith said. “I’ve got every confidence that Dan can go in and play very, very well.”

Evans was handed his chance after Smith decided that Kyle Edmund’s back problem would make the 21-year-old’s selection too risky.

Evans had been in contention anyway, especially in the light of his Davis Cup record and past results against Japan’s two singles players here.

Two of Evans’ four Davis Cup victories have been in deciding fifth rubbers and he has a winning record against his opponent in Sunday’s reverse singles, Taro Daniel, who is the world No 87.

Daniel gave an insight into the problems Evans can give opponents. “He has this classic English-style tennis: clean slices, good serves, good volleys,” Daniel said.

“In modern tennis, it’s not very common. He also has a lot of power in his forehand and doesn’t give you a lot of rhythm.”

Britain, nevertheless, are likely to rely heavily again on Andy Murray, who won all eight of his singles rubbers last year. Murray also won three doubles rubbers in 2015 alongside his brother Jamie, but Smith may decide he does not need to take any unnecessary risks this weekend with his key man, who has not played for nearly five weeks.

Japan have no doubles players of note, whereas Britain’s nominated pair – which can still be changed on Saturday – comprises Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot, world No 2 and No 32 respectively in doubles.

Andy Murray is fired up by the prospect of defending the title. “I think one of the reasons I’m here this year is because I really want to try and do it again,” he said. “I never thought we would be able to do it, but then when we did, I was like: ‘Why can’t we do it again?’

“The ties last year were unbelievable. I enjoyed every one of them. The atmosphere was great. It was tough at times physically and mentally after the times of year that the ties were coming, but I think everyone on the team loved that whole experience of winning and I think we would all love to try to do it again.

“But the best way to do that is not thinking that far ahead,” Murray added. “We could lose this tie. They have a really, really good team and we need to just concentrate on this one.”