Davis Cup: Foul-mouth Murray may be banned

Britain in danger of fall to third tier after doubles disaster

In keeping with the wretched Glasgow weather, Serbia and Montenegro managed to rain on the delayed coronation of Andy Murray and his Davis Cup colleagues by winning yesterday's doubles, a victory joyously celebrated by their tiny courtside claque in the knowledge that it will almost certainly swing the tie their way and consign Britain to a July play-off against Israel to avoid relegation from the event's second division to the third.

As if the 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 defeat was not crushingly disappoint-ing enough, Murray spoiled the day even further with an end-of-match outburst against the Tunisian umpire, Adel Aref, his foul language relayed to television viewers via a courtside microphone. "I told the umpire how bad he was," Murray admitted. "You see footballers swearing after every single foul or bad decision. Because we have a mic below the umpire's chair, everybody could hear when I swore. But this is what happens in sport. Sometimes, you get angry."

Murray was fined, too, as the tie's referee, Norbert Peick of Germany, confirmed afterwards. The size of the fine will be announced today after the incident has been reviewed on TV replays, and Murray may also face a Davis Cup ban by the International Tennis Federation.

On balance, Serbia's doubles expert, Nenad Zimonjic, and the 20-year-old Ilia Bozoljac deserved to win against a British combination who rarely managed to put their best efforts together at the same time. Rusedski started marvellously, encouraging an out-of-practice Murray in almost fatherly fashion and serving in masterly style, but following Friday's three-hour singles he began to flag just as the Scottish teenager, still battling a viral problem, got the crowd roaring with flashes of his sublime skills.

This afternoon the 32-year-old Rusedski must pick himself up to face Serbia's No 1, Novak Djokovic. "I'll go to bed at 8.30 and catch a lot of zees," Rusedski said, managing a smile. "It is obviously going to be difficult against an 18-year-old who has had a day off, but I will give it 110 per cent like I normally do."

As Rusedski acknowledged, Britain took a calculated risk by asking him to be involved in all three days of this tie, and even if he pulls off an unlikely victory, the question remains whether Murray will declare himself fit enough to go on court again for what would be the deciding match. He defied medical advice to play in the doubles and said: "If I am only 20 per cent it is not fair on everybody else."

The match hinged on the break points seized by the Serbs and the many which were missed by Britain. While Zimonjic and Bozoljac captured four break points out of five, Rusedski and Murray converted just two of the 15 which came their way.

The first time he stepped up to serve, Murray was betrayed by a lack of practice and possibly nerves, double-faulting twice and committing two more errors to hand Serbia a 3-1 lead which was easily extended to take the first set.

Britain's clear plan was to attack the comparatively inexperienced Bozoljac, but it was a doomed ploy since the youngster, ranked 273rd in world doubles, was a revelation, the best performer on court. It was Zimonjic, ranked in the world's top 10, who wobbled, particularly on serve, and he was visibly relieved to be let off the hook so many times at break point.

Having missed five break points in the first set, Britain cast away a further seven in the second before pouching one, an overhit Zimonjic forehand which Rusedski encouraged on its way out of play with a bellowed "C'mon." After an hour and 10 minutes the match was level and the banners were waving as the home pair appeared to have achieved ascendancy.

But by now Rusedski was visibly slowing, and a loss of serve in the sixth game of the third set was nothing short of embarrassing, containing a brace of double-faults. He again dropped serve in the opening game of the fourth set, pitching in two more double-faults and then watching a ball which he had let go past him be called in at the corner.

That was what racheted up the brooding ill-feeling from the Serb contingent and produced an angry protest by Rusedski to the umpire.