Tennis, Davis Cup | Mejía surprises Evans and gives Colombia a point against Great Britain

02/04/2023 at 01:18

TEC


6-2, 2-6 and 6-4 for the South American, who makes it 1-0 in the tie

Nicolás Barrientos will try to repeat his success against Norrie

against all odds Nicolas Mejia won this friday Dan Evans by 6-2, 2-6 and 6-4which gave Colombia the first point against Great Britain in the Davis Cup confrontation that takes place in the Colombian town of Cota and in which both teams seek to return to the final.

The task began to be done well by Mejía who took advantage of the clay court to spin balls that quickly gave him an advantage that he sealed with a 6-2, amid the applause of the public. However, Evans recovered in the second set, in which he displayed a game in which he combined his serve and good closing of each point for a 6-2 in his favor.

In the final stretch, the visitor started better with a serve that gave them points to advance. However, the Colombian was narrowing the gap and saving points, which made a dent in Evans, who currently occupies box 30 in the ATP rankings. Averaging the set, the forces were even because the scoreboard was 4-4, although in sections the Colombian seemed to have better physical arrests. To this was added that Evans committed two double faults that cost him the game before an audience that celebrated the 6-4 victory of his representative.

In the second hour, Nicolás Barrientos, the number two player from Colombia, and Cameron Norrie, one from Great Britain, will face each other. The series will continue this Saturday with the doubles game for which the visiting team’s captain, Leon Smith, lined up Evans with Neal Skupski to face Juan Sebastián Cabal and Robert Farah, a duel that has all the characteristics of a Grand Final. Slam, for the tour of the pairs in ATP tournaments. The individual clashes will be Mejía against Norrie and then Barrientos against Evans.

Colombia does not have its best singles player, Daniel Galán, in this duel due to health problems that even prevented him from performing at his best on his tour of Australia. Despite this setback, Great Britain, which does not have Andy Murray, is the favorite to come out on top in this key. The winner will earn a place in the group stage of the Davis Cup finals in September.

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