Gorrie stuns on Davis Cup debut

The opening day of Davis Cup 2018 gave us some great matches in the first lot of singles.

In the France v Netherlands tie, Lucas Pouille didn’t play the first match, instead Adrian Mannarino taking up the challenge.

The 25th ranked Frenchman was expected to win, without many problems against Thiemo De Bakker, currently ranked 369.

Surprises happen in Davis Cup and here was one - De Bakker ran through Mannarino in straight sets 7-6(4) 6-3 6-3 in just over two hours, serving 15 aces and breaking the French serve six times.

Richard Gasquet evened things for France, with his four set victory over Robin Haase 6-4 7-6(3) 3-6 7-5.

Daniel Toro, ranked 100 for Japan, took 22nd ranked Italian Fabio Fognini to five sets before Fabio finally gave Italy the start it wanted 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-3 6-2 after a fright.

Japan equalised following a victory from Yuichi Sugita over Andreas Seppi, also in five sets, 4-6 6-2 6-4 4-6 7-6(1).

The fans certainly received their money’s worth on Day One in Japan.

Spain was expected to roll over the Brits easily with a strong team and Great Britain without Murray and Edmund.

The script was followed when Albert Ramos-Vinolas defeated Liam Broady 6-3 6-4 7-6(6).

Things were heading in the same direction for Cameron Norrie when down 4-6 3-6 against Roberto Bautista Agut.

A remarkable turnabout saw the 114th ranked Brit take the final three sets from the favoured top 30 Spaniard and square the tie 4-6 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-2. This was Soufh African born Norrie’s Davis Cup debut, and what a brilliant one.

Australian Teenager Alex de Minaur, in his Davis Cup debut, almost knocked over Sascha Zverev (5) but eventually fell agonisingly short, Zverev winning 7-5 4-6 4-6 6-3 7-6(4).

Nick Kyrgios evened things with a clinical win over Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 6-4 6-4.

Dmitry Popko and Mikhail Kukushkin gave Kazakhstan a flying start over Switzerland, defeating Henri Laaksonen and Adrian Bodmer respectively.

Canada and Croatia are level - Borna Coric defeated Vasek Pospisil, but Canada fought back with Denis Shapovalov in fine touch winning over Viktor Galovic.

The USA are in a commanding position in their tie against Serbia.

Sam Querrey won in four sets against Laslo Djere.

John Isner, however, had a difficult match against Dusan Lajovic before emerging victorious 6-4 6-7(7) 6-3 3-6 7-6(4).

Belgium is just one win away from securing a tie win, with two successes on Day One.

Ruben Bemelmans defeated Marton Fucsovics in the opening match and David Goffin took only and hour and a half to dispense with Attila Balazs 6-4 6-4 6-0.