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Britain's defeat of Lithuania : More than a loss?

By Ajay Tyagi (TennisEarth.com)

Reads: 521, Comments: 0

Keywords: Davis Cup | R.Berankis |K.Skupski |D.Evans |L.Grigelis |C.Fleming
A fifth consecutive tie defeat in Davis Cup, this time to a little known set of players from Lithuania, put Britain's future in the prestigious team event in jeopardy. Whether it's Murray's absence and dismal performance from the current team, something's a miss.

Great Britain suffered one of the most embarrassing Davis Cup losses in the recently played tie against a country like Lithuania which entered the competiton with just three world ranked players, who happened to be all teenagers.

In the absence of star player Andy Murray, the British team, under the Captaincy of John Lloyd, started well when James Ward won the opening day singles rubber. In the second rubber though, top ranked Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis took out Daniel Evans in a marathon 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3 encounter.

Despite a 2-1 lead with the help of win in the doubles rubber where the British duo of Colin Fleming and Ken Skupski defeated the Lithuanian duo of Laurynas Grigelis and Dovydas Sakinis, the British team completely fell apart in the reverse singles.

Ricardas Berankis continued his magical run with a straight sets win over John Ward and Laurynas Gregelis emerged as a surprise winner over Daniel Evans when he struggled past the Briton in a gruelling 6-7(6), 7-5, 6-0, 2-6, 6-4 tussle to clinch the tie for the host nation.

This was Britain's fifth consecutive Davis Cup tie loss which raised serious concerns over the LTA's capabilities of developing the country's most prestigious tennis team.

"Five defeats in a row is unacceptable," said the LTA chief executive Roger Draper. "So I have asked the LTA player director, Steven Martens, to review last week's performance and result, and report back to me and the LTA main board as soon as possible."

"That review needs to be swift and decisive as it is clear some real improvements need to be made," added Draper.

Greg Rusedski, who has been roped in for the Captain's responsibility in the upcoming tie against Turkey, expressed his disappointment through the social networking site, Twitter - "Cannot believe we have lost to Lithuania in Davis Cup. Unbelievable."

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Fed Cup 1, Women Singles  IR
11:00
IR
Maria Sharapova (RUS) Winner 2 6 6
Silvia Solerespinosa (ESP) 0 2 1
Sharapova - Solerespinosa    6 - 2    6 - 1   
Served By: S Solerespinosa Won By: Sharapova
Game IN, Winner: Sharapova!!! High kick serve, Sharapova crafts a backhand return, short rally, Solerespinosa hits a forehand down the line but fails to keep it inside the court.
40-A   IN, Winner: Sharapova!!! Solerespinosa serves a good one, Sharapova works a backhand return, good rally, Sharapova hits a forehand winner down the line. Match Point for Sharapova
Deuce IN, Winner: Sharapova!!! Solerespinosa goes for a out-wide serve, Sharapova delivers a backhand return, couple of shots exchanged, Sharapova blasts a forehand winner down the line. Deuce
40-30   IN, Winner: Sharapova!!! Solerespinosa serves a short angled slice serve, Sharapova shoots a forehand return winner.
  Fault. First Fault.
40-15   IN, Winner: Solerespinosa!!! Sharapova forehand flies outside the court.
30-15   IN, Winner: Solerespinosa!!! Sharapova fails to keep a cross-court forehand in the play.
15-15   IN, Winner: Sharapova!!! Solerespinosa serves a high kick serve, Sharapova delivers a backhand return, Solerespinosa hits a forehand down the line but fails to clear the net.
15-0   IN, Winner: Solerespinosa!!! Good serve, Sharapova fails to put it back.
Sharapova - Solerespinosa    6 - 2    5 - 1   
Served By: M Sharapova Won By: Sharapova
Game IN, Winner: Sharapova!!! Sharapova produces a forehand cross-court winner.
40-0   IN, Winner: Sharapova!!! Sharapova hits a acute angled slice serve, Solerespinosa works a forehand return, Sharapova hits a forehand winner down the line.
30-0   IN, Winner: Sharapova!!! Out-wide serve, Solerespinosa return goes wide off the court.
15-0   IN, Winner: Sharapova!!! Acute angled slice serve, Solerespinosa puts back a forehand return, Sharapova smacks a forehand winner down the line.
Sharapova - Solerespinosa    6 - 2    4 - 1   
Served By: S Solerespinosa Won By: Solerespinosa
Game IN, Winner: Solerespinosa!!! Sharapova forehand is unable to clear the net.

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