Last Updated: Friday, 23 September 2005, 05:47 GMT 06:47 UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4271030.stm
Brits spring Davis Cup surprise
Friday (from 1200 BST)
A.Federer v Mackin
B.Wawrinka v Murray
Saturday (from 1200 BST)
Federer & Allegro v Rusedski & Murray
Sunday (from 1100 BST)
Reverse singles - matches tbc
Great Britain captain Jeremy Bates has chosen to rest Greg Rusedski for
the opening singles of the Davis Cup World Group play-off against Switzerland.
Alan Mackin will open up against Roger Federer on Friday, with Andy Murray
facing Stanislas Wawrinka.
Murray and Rusedski will team up in Saturday's doubles, and if Britain have
established a lead, Rusedski will return to face Wawrinka on Sunday.
The winner of the tie will clinch a place in next year's World Group.
The pressure will be on Murray to claim an opening-day point but Rusedski
feels the 18-year-old will rise to the occasion.
"Andy had a fantastic start in the doubles in Israel and he has been
working really hard," he said.
Realistically we are looking at winning the doubles and the two singles
against their number two
GB captain Jeremy Bates
"The whole summer he was improving and I was very impressed with the way he
went 10 weeks without a break to help his fitness.
"I am sure Andy is going to continue this progress and I see him having a
great future in this game."
Bates' decision to rest Rusedski on Friday suggests he believes his number
one player has little chance of beating Federer.
Bates is effectively handing the opening match to Switzerland as Mackin,
ranked 262 in the world, has yet to win a single ATP tour match this year.
But the tactic means that Murray will face Swiss number two Wawrinka on
Friday when the Scot is at his freshest.
And if Murray wins that match and Britain also win the doubles, Rusedski
will not have the pressure of playing a third game in three days with victory
possibly at stake on Sunday.
Bates said: "Obviously playing Roger is a very tough match and
realistically we are looking at winning the doubles and the two singles
against their number two.
"I feel they (the Swiss) did not expect what they have seen and it puts a bit
of pressure on Wawrinka to perform first."
Mackin could be in line for a chastening experience against Federer, but he
was very positive about his shot at the world number one.
"It is a wonderful opportunity for me, I have got nothing to lose so I just
hope I can go out and play well," he said.
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