Cameron Norrie wants a shock win over Novak Djokovic to hold alive Great Britain’s hopes of beating Serbia and reaching the Davis Cup semi-finals.
Britain trail 1-0 within the best-of-three tie after Jack Draper misplaced 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (8-6) to Miomir Kecmanovic.
Norrie faces 24-time main champion Djokovic within the second singles match.
If Norrie does earn a primary profession win over the world primary, the doubles match will resolve which nation performs within the final 4 on Saturday.
“It’s troublesome figuring out that Cam has to go and play Djokovic after, and that is seemingly a must-win match for me,” Draper stated.
“I’ll again Cam nevertheless it’s undoubtedly a troublesome problem to go on the market figuring out that there’s a lot extra stress on me to win the match.
“That’s the sort of stress that if I would like to be a high participant, I’ve to deal with and carry out below. It’s robust not to get the win as we speak.”
Britain, who final received the boys’s staff occasion in 2015, or Serbia will face Italy within the semi-finals after Jannik Sinner impressed them to victory over the Netherlands earlier on Thursday.
Draper edged out in decisive moments in very important opener
Considered one of many rising stars of the ATP Tour, Draper continues to be a novice in Davis Cup phrases.
But the 21-year-old left-hander had been thrust into the pressurised state of affairs of figuring out he would probably have to win his singles match if Britain have been going to advance – barring Norrie inflicting a primary Davis Cup singles defeat in 12 years on Djokovic.
Following accidents to Dan Evans and Andy Murray, Draper was the pure alternative to open the tie in opposition to Serbia regardless that he solely made his taking part in debut in September’s round-robin stage.
Possessing a thunderous serve and medical forehand from the baseline, Draper is ranked sixtieth on this planet on the again of robust type in current weeks.
Injuries ruined his first eight months of the season, however a run of 17 wins from his 21 earlier matches going into the Davis Cup tie left him feeling assured in his physique and thoughts.
There was little to select between Draper and Fifty fifth-ranked Kecmanovic – nevertheless it was the Serb who executed higher within the essential moments.
An opening set stuffed with hard-hitting and intense rallies showcased the ability of the pair, with Draper holding off two break factors at 3-4 and two set factors at 4-5.
That led to a tie-break the place two double faults by Draper – for 2-0 and 5-2 respectively – proved pricey.
Kecmanovic, 24, served out the set – a lot to the delight of the vocal Serbian contingent – nevertheless it was a bitter blow for Draper, who had performed properly in a hour-long opener with out having the ability to penetrate his opponent’s very good serve.
The second set adopted an analogous sample, with out Draper dealing with the stress he did within the opening set.
A nervy begin to the tie-break noticed the Briton trail 5-2, however Kecmanovic couldn’t capitalise earlier than Draper saved a match level with a composed volley which clipped the sideline.
But a large forehand – after which Draper threatened to smash his racquet into the court docket – arrange one other likelihood for Kecmanovic, which he took after touchdown one other first serve.
“I would not say I returned amazingly properly as we speak, however after I did get the return again it appeared like he had the reply more often than not,” Draper stated.
“His tennis degree at instances is, I believe, high 10 on this planet. He would not miss many balls. His ball pace is sweet off each side, very constant.”
