Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated1695126276

Davis Cup Final 8 draw LIVE: Latest updates as Andy Murray’s Great Britain learn opponents for Malaga

Neal Skupski and Dan Evans helped secure Team GB’s place in Malaga

George Litchfield
Tuesday 19 September 2023 13:24 BST
Comments
Djokovic drilling in Spain ahead of Davis Cup promise for Serbia

Britain who topped Group B in the Davis Cup after their win over France on Sunday now face Serbia, as the draw for the Final 8 Knockout stage was announced on Tuesday.

Serbia finished second behind Czech Republic, but clinched their place in the Final 8 with a win over Spain. Novak Djokovic beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina just five days after winning the U.S. Open to help Serbia to a 3-0 win over Spain in Valencia. Whoever comes out on top between Serbia and Britain will then face the winner of Italy v Netherlands in the semi-final. Reigning Davis Cup champions Canada will continue their title defence against Finland, who came through as runners-up in Group D after surprise wins over Croatia and the United States, while Canada topped their group ahead of Italy.

The winner of Canada v Finland will take on either Czech Republic or Australia in the semi-final. Australia finished runners-up to Britain. The Final 8 takes place in Malaga, Spain, and begins on Nov.21.

1695116175

Leon Smith tips Great Britain for chance of Davis Cup glory in Malaga

Great Britain are dreaming of more Davis Cup glory after pulling off a remarkable victory over France to book their spot in the quarter-finals.

Needing victory in their final tie at a sold-out AO Arena in Manchester to reach the knock-out stages, it went all the way to a final-set tie-break in the last rubber, with Dan Evans and Neal Skupski saving four match points against Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin before triumphing 1-6 7-6 (4) 7-6 (6).

When a final French return flew long, Evans and Skupski fell to court before leaping into each others’ arms then celebrating with the rest of the team.

Evans was Britain’s key man across the three ties, winning four rubbers, including two against France having battled from behind to see off teenager Arthur Fils in the opening singles.

Leon Smith tips Great Britain for chance of Davis Cup glory in Malaga

Dan Evans and Neal Skupski saved four match points in the deciding doubles to send Britain through to the last eight

Karl Matchett19 September 2023 10:36
1695115906

Current Davis Cup format set to stay despite being branded ‘a clear disaster’

The current Davis Cup format has been branded a “disaster” and “wrong”, but players’ calls for the return of home-and-away ties look set to be rejected.

Since 2019, the historic competition has been converted to a World Cup-style event with group stages and matches on neutral soil, but low crowd numbers have attracted consistent criticism.

Stan Wawrinka posted a video on social media on Tuesday showing virtually empty stands in Manchester for Switzerland’s tie against France, a stark contrast to the 9,000-strong crowd that attended Britain’s contest with Australia the following day.

Current Davis Cup format set to stay despite being branded ‘a clear disaster’

There has been criticism of poor attendance for matches played on neutral territory.

Karl Matchett19 September 2023 10:31
1695115226

When is Davis Cup Final 8 draw?

Great Britain reached the Davis Cup Final 8 this weekend after Dan Evans and Neal Skupski overcame France in a dramatic decider.

Former world number one Andy Murray missed out on selection, but captain Leon Smith’s chosen pair saved four match points to ensure they reached the knockout stages of the competition.

Murray had previously given Great Britain a winning start against Switzerland, and then broke down after the win as he revealed he had missed his grandmother’s funeral in order to play in the tie.

Great Britain will be hoping to claim the competition for the first time since 2015 after winning all three matches to finish top of Group B. Here’s everything you need to know about the draw and the final eight:

When is Davis Cup Final 8 draw?

Great Britain could face Italy or Serbia in the quarter-finals

Jack Rathborn19 September 2023 10:20
1695115178

‘Kids these days’: Andy Murray unimpressed by Jack Draper’s Davis Cup celebrations

Andy Murray was left unimpressed by Jack Draper’s celebrations as the two British tennis players shared a car journey home from a thrilling Davis Cup win over France.

Great Britain advanced to the last eight of the competition as Dan Evans and Neal Skupski won a deciding tie break against France’s Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

‘Kids these days’: Andy Murray unimpressed by Jack Draper’s Davis Cup celebrations

Great Britain reached the last eight of the Davis Cup with a thrilling win against France

Jack Rathborn19 September 2023 10:19
1695115155

Davis Cup 2023: Great Britain advance to Malaga after dramatic victory over France

Dan Evans was Great Britain’s hero with singles and doubles victories in a dramatic winner-takes-all Davis Cup tussle against France in Manchester.

Evans recovered from a set and a break down to defeat teenage debutant Arthur Fils and then, after Cameron Norrie had lost a close battle against Ugo Humbert, teamed up with Neal Skupski for a hugely tense 1-6 7-6 (4) 7-6 (6) victory over Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

The British pair saved four match points in the deciding set before clinching their second match point in the tie-break, sparking scenes of huge jubilation.

Dan Evans plays the hero as Great Britain notch dramatic Davis Cup win over France

Evans and Neal Skupski saved four match points in the deciding doubles to send GB to the quarter-finals

Jack Rathborn19 September 2023 10:19

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in