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Davis Cup: Great Britain set up Australia semi final

By Geoff Nichols

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Davis Cup: Great Britain set up Australia semi final

The Davis Cup quarter final headlines were dominated by the Great Britain tie against France. High profile withdrawals from other sides threaten to mar the weekend’s action, but the importance was not lost on these two nations who named full strength teams.

Andy Murray’s tears after his battling fourth rubber against Giles Simon showed what it means to players representing their country. Arguments that the magic of the Davis Cup has disappeared hadn’t reached the British number one, that is for sure.

Now Great Britain face their best opportunities in decades to put their name on the trophy. Andy Murray has more than chance to join the rest of the Big Four in galvanising their respective nations all the way. The draw looked kind to Britain before a ball was hit last week and it looks even more inviting now.

Their semi final opponents will be Australia, who have a mixture of exciting youngsters and one established journeyman in Lleyton Hewitt. It is one of the oldest and fiercest sporting rivalries, epitomised by The Ashes which is currently being contested in England.

Murray has taken one young Australian, Thanasi Kokkinakis, under his wing to a certain extent. The two have forged a friendship which led them to partnering each other in the doubles in Indian Wells. The two, despite being at different points in their career, clearly get on well.

On paper it immediately seems like a difficult draw for Great Britain, with Australia typically strong across all sports. However, they had a difficult time dispatching Kazakhstan in their quarter finals, having to come back from being 2-0 down on the opening day.

In Kokkinakis, as well as Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic, they have three mightily talented singles players. However, in their short careers all have been known to blow hot and cold. Kokkinakis is by fa the least controversial of the trio, but even he is a character different to what we have become accustomed to.

Dates: 18 Sep – 20 Sep 2015

Location: Great Britain’s choice

Other Semi Final: Argentina v Belgium

The doubles tie will once again be pivotal when Great Britain entertain Australia on home soil. With Andy Murray odds on for two doubles wins and James Ward up against it in causing an upset in his two matches, the doubles will likely decide the destination of the tie.

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Britain have two main options, both of which are strong. The Murray brothers teaming up worked wonders against France, but admittedly left Andy worse for fear. He could be swapped out for doubles specialist Dom Inglot, who is a Top 40 doubles player, although has never won a Davis Cup rubber.

Australia are tasked with putting together a much more makeshift doubles pairing. Big serving Sam Groth is the natural choice and plays a lot of doubles, by he will likely have to be paired with a naturally singles player. Against Kazakhstan that was Hewitt, but you have to wonder whether he will be exposed in a higher level match.

It is a fantastic semi final to look forward to after the US Open and one that both sides will head into feeling they can make the final and even go all the way and win the Davis Cup.

Next: Wimbledon 2015: Top 5 Upsets in Men's Draw

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