Well done to Ward. Wish that GB had played Bogdanovic rather than Baker -- JB has done stellar things in past Davis Cup, clearly likes performing under pressure and from all accounts is a good thing, but his form this year (as per the post on the other thread with the stat of average win = 838) never suggested that a Davis Cup win against a high 300s rank player was going to be a likelihood. On the other hand, perhaps Smith wanted to protect Bogdanovic, since as per earlier comments, if he had lost the match, rather than its being seen as a brave attempt against a more highly ranked player (which is how I hope Baker himself and media see his match!), it would have been presented as yet another failure . . . . I don't think we should overlook the possibility that Smith didn't want any player to have to go through that. Again.

And look at it this way: at least ours have gone according to rankings. You have to feel for the Russians, where their number one player just lost to a man ranked 749. Yes, the victor was formerly ranked in the top 10 . . . but nonetheless, that's a tough one to have to explain to the folks back home.

Fleming and Jamie have taken the first set 6-1

Normality restored at the start of the third as the Brits get an instant break, 6-1, 3-6, *2-0

Further LTA update is 2-3 in the fourth, with apparently a break of serve apiece.

*5-4 with Colin to serve for the match. Fingers crossed.

Elsewhere in our section in our group Ireland against Luxembourg is 1-1, with Ireland looking strong favourites.

In the other half of our section Belarus lead Bulgaria 2-1 while Hungary have destroyed Cyprus 3-0..