Summary
GREAT Britain's hopes of winning the Davis Cup World Group play- off against Switzerland were all but extinguished here on the first afternoon of the three-day tie. Straight-sets defeats for Andy Murray - a 6-3, 7-6, 6-4 loser to Stanislas Wawrinka - and Alan Mackin in the opening singles matches mean that all three remaining contests must be won. As two of those will see Roger Federer lining up for the hosts, there would appear to be little chance of that.
Jeremy Bates, the British captain, had decided on his strategy and persuaded his team of its plausibility some time before the contest began. It was based on equal parts realism and wishful thinking: "Let's be honest and accept we won't beat the world No1 at singles", was the first part; "Let's beat the Swiss No 2 twice" was the second.See the full content of this document
Extract
Bates' Plans in Tatters As Murray Is Defeated
When Mackin was thumped 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 by Federer in the first match, Bates and his charges had at least immunised themselves from demoralisation. They had hoped the Paisley-born player would have proved more of an irritant to the world No1, but they h...
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