Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Davis Cup debutant James Ward got Great Britain off to the perfect start in their Davis Cup clash with Lithuania in Vilnius.
The 23-year-old, the son of a London cabbie, completed a straight sets victory - 6-4 6-2 6-4 - over Lithuanian number two Laurynas Grigelis to put the visitors in front in the crucial Europe-Africa Zone II tie.
Ward got off to a confident start when, having seen Grigelis clinch the opening service game with an ace, he held to love, but he was unable to take advantage of two break-points in the third game.
The match went with serve until the score reached 4-4 with Ward never in any difficulty, and he finally got his nose in front when he converted his fifth break point of the set to lead 5-4.
However, for the first time, Grigelis put Ward under pressure as he tried to close out the first set after he raced into a 40-0 lead, and it took him six attempts to finally see off the Lithuanian.
The Briton maintained the momentum and broke in the opening game of the second set, which he went on to take 6-2, and then broke again in the seventh game of the third set to ease over the finishing line and become the first Briton other than Tim Henman, Greg Rusedski or Andy Murray to win a live rubber since 1996.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments