Great Britain is through to the second round of the Davis Cup qualifiers after winning a roller-coaster doubles clash against Norway.
Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Clash, who are ranked No.2 and No.3 in the doubles rankings, ousted Viktor Durasovic and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(5) on Friday afternoon in Oslo. Despite entering the match as the heavy favourites, the British duo faced some stern opposition and inspired play from their rivals, who are not even ranked within the top 400 in the discipline.
Glasspool and Cash looked to be on a good footing early on after racing through the opener in less than half an hour. However, the hosts fought back valiantly in the second frame by breaking twice without facing a break point. Then, with everything to play for in the decider, the Brits failed to convert two break points to move ahead 5-3 but managed to seal victory in a tense tiebreaker.
“(it was) Unbelievable to play on this court, so nice having this support away from home,” Cash said during his on-court interview.
“It feels like we are at home so thanks to them (the travelling British fans) for getting us across the line. It means the world to get our first point and win the tie for GB.”
Since January 2025, Glasspool and Cash have contested 12 Tour-level finals together, winning the Wimbledon championships last summer. Despite their status as the world’s top doubles pair, Durasovic and Kjaer proved to be tough opposition. Something that Cash was unsurprised about.
“Davis Cup is very special for that,” he explained.
“When people play for their country, especially at home, anything can happen. We were ready for everything, we never take for granted that a match is going to be easy and we’re happy to get it across the line.”
The doubles triumph occurred after Britain won their two opening singles matches on day one. On his return from injury, Jack Draper produced a resounding 6-2, 6-2 win over Durasovic in what was his first competitive match since the US Open. Following that, Cameron Norrie defeated Budkov Kjaer 6-4, 6-4.
“I definitely have to be wary of how the injury is progressing,” Draper said of his ongoing recovery.
“I wouldn’t be back playing again if me and my team weren’t really confident that I can start to build back on the tour again.
“I definitely have to be sensible at times.”
Regardless of what happens in the fourth match of their tie, Great Britain has done enough to book a showdown against either Australia or Ecuador later this year. Whoever wins that tie will then progress to the finals in November.
