James Ward sealed an impressive five set win against Sam Querrey to secure a 2-0 lead over the USA on day one of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group round one tie.
Ward, who was second on for the Aegon GB Davis Cup Team following Andy Murray’s straight set win over Donald Young, defeated the big serving American 1-6, 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.
At the beginning of the match, Ward looked unsettled and quickly fell behind to trail 3-0.
Ward, who appeared to struggle with the slippery clay court surface, found himself out of position more than once, only getting on the scoreboard after 23 minutes with the American leading 5-1, however two minutes later Querrey closed out the set 6-1.
Ward looked stronger in the second, with the set staying with serve throughout. In the seventh game Ward saved three break points by moving the big serving American around the court to force the set into a tie break.
In the breaker Ward applied the pressure, attacking the Querrey serve and in return earning a triple set point leading at 6-3. Ward closed out the set 7-3 as Querrey pushed the ball long.
A lapse of concentration from Ward allowed Querrey to take a 3-0 lead in the third set. The Briton put in a fight back, attacking the 26 year-old American’s serve, but could not break through and Querrey took the set 6-3.
Ward was immediately broken in the opening game of the fourth set, however in the eighth game Ward applied the pressure once again, breaking back to 4-4 with a forehand winner and then held for the 5-4 lead. Ward then stepped up his game to force the error from the world ranked No.49, taking the set 6-4.
In the final set it was Ward’s turn to take the early break going 2-0 up. The Briton then hit a perfectly timed lob to take the 3-0 lead. In the sixth game Ward played some consistent tennis and Querrey made the error to make the Briton serve for the match.
In final game Ward held his nerve and put away a bounce smash winner to seal the rubber.
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