Edmund takes GB to Davis Cup semis

In the final and meaningless match, Janko Tipsarevic beat James Ward 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 to leave the final score at 3-2 for Britain.

On Sunday, though, Edmund will come of ageif he succeeds in carrying Great Britain into the Davis Cup semi-finals.

The contest was played in gloom and often light drizzle, as the Davis Cup holders posted a first win at World Group level – without Murray – since 1986.

And so it’s down to Edmund, who, having earned his first Davis Cup victory in the opening rubber, will have to lead from the front in search of a second.

For Inglot meanwhile it was a first victory on court for the team after being part of the victorious Davis Cup squad previous year.

In the opening singles, Edmund beat Tipsarevic 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 on Friday.

Again it was Edmund putting the pressure on – bringing up two more break points but despite protests at the crowd calling out during the point, no action was taken, with Lajovic scrambling to a lengthy hold.

His first Davis Cup experience was as demanding as it comes: GB’s final, away from home against Belgium, and facing world No11 David Goffin. “When you know what is at stake – I’m so pleased that I’ve won”, said Edmund.

World No 2 Andy Murray sat among the British squad and celebrated as Edmund beat Lajovic who was playing on his favourite surface.

Edmund broke serve for the first time in the sixth game and showed his confidence by serving out the set with two aces.

The 29-year-old, whose ranking has dropped after he was inside the world’s top 100 this time last year, was broken in the first game of the match and struggled throughout against the highest-ranked player in Serbia’s squad.

Britain will likely be able to welcome back three-time Grand Slam champion Murray for their semi-final encounter with Argentina in a more familiar environment at home in September – a tie which should give Britain a decent chance of making the final for the second year in succession.

Edmund, clearly tired as well as a touch overwhelmed, was naturally proud of his performance: “Friday I won my first match for my country, and this is the second, and the fact that I put together two good performances, I’m really happy”.

“A tough start, he didn’t do much wrong”, Ward said.

Ward was not originally in the team but got the call to replace Dan Evans last Wednesday, just six hours before he was due to fly to the United States of America for a grass-court tournament. “They’re great and they help all the players”. But he was very good today.

In Portland, Oregon, Croatia fended off elimination as Marin Cilic and Ivan Dodig teamed up to beat the formidable USA doubles duo of Bob and Mike Bryan 6-2, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.

“I was a a little under pressure as we were down 1-0, but he was a little less comfortable”.

France were also enjoying their hosts’ hospitality by taking a 2-1 lead over 2012 and 2013 champions the Czech Republic in steel town Trinec.