Tennis | Davis Cup Finals 2024 | Dan Evans ready for Davis Cup 'passion' ahead of group stage campaign in Manchester

By Tony Fairbairn

  • Dan Evans is ready for Davis Cup 'passion' ahead of 15 year anniversary since playing first tie
  • Group D: Great Britain, Argentina, Canada, Finland
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – Dan Evans is ready to embrace the Davis Cup 'passion' as he celebrates his 15 year anniversary of playing the Davis Cup in Manchester.

 

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It's that time again as 16 teams bid to earn a place in the Davis Cup last eight tournament in Malaga at the end of the year. In order for Great Britain and the other 15 teams to do that they will need to go through the group stages which is taking place in four different locations this week.

Group A is taking place in Bologna where defending champions Italy are taking on the Netherlands, Belgium and Brazil. Group B is taking place in Valencia as Spain will face Australia, Czech Republic and France. Meanwhile Group C will be taking place in Zhuhai as Germany, USA, Chile and Slovakia bid for a place in the final eight.

However the main focus will be on Group D which once again takes place at the AO Arena in Manchester as Great Britain will look to reach the final eight once again. In order to do that they will have to overcome Argentina, Canada and Finland as Leon Smith's side look to better the quarter-final result from last year.

Speaking ahead of the group stages Leon Smith said he is looking forward to another strong week in Manchester after last year's success where they overcame a tough French team to qualify for the last eight.

"The support in Manchester last year was incredible – the crowds turned out in record numbers and carried us over the line in a tight and dramatic final day," Smith told the LTA website.

"We've got a really strong team once again and I'm sure it's going to be another special week in Manchester in September."

As Andy Murray departs the tennis stage it's now up to Dan Evans to be the experienced head in the team as the Brit enters this week having made history at the US Open for the longest singles match ever played in New York.

This week celebrates Evans' 15 year anniversary of playing in the Davis Cup where he made his debut against Poland. Although Evans said it wasn't a good weekend in terms of the result it taught him a lot about tennis as he gets ready for another sensational week in Manchester.

"I didn't know it was that long (since his debut) – it's pretty good to have played for that long," Evans told the LTA website.

"The team's changed quite a lot since my debut. It was a pretty bad one, we lost the tie. There's been plenty of good memories since then and I've enjoyed every moment, even the tough ones have been fun to look back on."My ranking wasn't very good when I started playing Davis Cup and it was sort of my introduction to professional tennis and the tour. I did well at the start, and it really helped me progress in the rankings and gave me a lot of belief that I could play at that level.

"You're playing with your teammates and its always a very good week. There's a lot of passion, a lot of pride and great excitement to be around the guys and get out there and represent your country. It's always an amazing week and something we all look forward to.

"The crowd is a lot bigger than the average ATP tour match, especially if you play first round. We play in such a good arena here in Manchester. We effectively get three home ties in this format and the crowd really get behind us."

Joining Evans in the team this week is US Open semi-finalist Jack Draper as well as Davis Cup debutant Billy Harris. Meanwhile Neal Skupski and current Wimbledon champion Henry Patten provide a new look for the doubles team in Manchester this week.

 

 

Auger-Aliassime's Canada headlines group stage opposition

 

Great Britain's final opponents of the week will be Canada, who are the strongest opposition of the week with the team being headlined by Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov. Canada are former champions of this format of the Davis Cup and will provide a stern test for the British team.

Before facing Canada, Great Britain will face Argentina on Friday with strong singles players such as Sebastian Baez, Francisco Cerundolo and Tomas Martin Etcheverry while the doubles team of Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez will provide big test for a new-look British doubles team.

The first test of the week will be on Wednesday against Finland who will be without Emil Ruusuvuori as the Fin is taking a mental health break for the rest of the season. However Patten's doubles partner Harri Heliovaara will be representing the team as Finland look to cause a shock just like they did last year when they beat USA in the group stages.

 

Group Stage Schedule

Tuesday 10th September: Canada v Argentina

Wednesday 11th September: Great Britain v Finland

Thursday 12th September: Canada v Finland

Friday 13th September: Great Britain v Argentina

Saturday 14th September: Argentina v Finland

Sunday 15th September: Great Britain v Canada

 

Team Nominations

Great Britain

Jack Draper

Dan Evans

Billy Harris

Henry Patten

Neal Skupski

Captain: Leon Smith

 

Argentina

Sebastian Baez

Francisco Cerundolo

Tomas Martin Etcheverry

Andres Molteni

Maximo Gonzalez

Captain: Guillermo Coria

 

Canada

Felix Auger-Aliassime

Denis Shapovalov

Gabriel Diallo

Alexis Galarneau

Vasek Pospisil

Captain: Frank Dancevic

 

Finland

Otto Virtanen

Eero Vasa

Patrick Kaukovalta

Harri Heliovaara

Patrik Niklas-Salminen

Captain: Jarkko Nieminen

 

 

How to Watch/Follow Davis Cup Finals 2024

Live StreamBBC Sport Website
Live ScoresTennis Scores Powered By TNNSLIVE

 

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