Daunting Davis Cup task for GB

Great Britain have won all five of their Davis Cup ties since Leon Smith succeeded John Lloyd two years ago but this weekend the captain faces his biggest challenge as Britain and Belgium meet at Glasgow's Braehead Arena with a place in a September play-off for promotion to the elite 16-nation World Group at stake.

With Andy Murray absenting himself and the British No 2, James Ward, now out with a back injury, the singles berths will be filled by the 26-year-old Josh Goodall, the world No 253, who did not win a set on his only previous appearance three years ago (against Ukraine), and 21-year-old Dan Evans (world No 334), who lost his first four rubbers but was the hero of Britain's last tie against Slovakia in February.

Both Belgium's singles players are in the top 100. Olivier Rochus (No 59) has beaten eight top-10 players in his career, including Novak Djokovic, and Steve Darcis (No 68) has won two ATP titles. But the British pairing of Colin Fleming (world No 25 in doubles) and Ross Hutchins (No 30) should beat Ruben Bemelmans (No 288) and the unranked David Goffin.