STUART FRASER
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TENNIS
ANDY MURRAY BACKED TO SILENCE DAVIS CUP CRITICS
Daily Record
By Stuart Fraser
Friday 18th September 2009
ANDY MURRAY returns to action today determined to silence the snipers who claim he couldn't care less about the Davis Cup.
The British No.1 will pick up a racket for the first time since his premature US Open exit at the hands of Croatian Marin Cilic.
Murray's long-term target remains a Grand Slam singles title but anyone who doubts the Scottish tennis star's desire to play team events should have a word with Ian Conway.
The North of Scotland captain knows how committed the World No.3 is after Murray answered an SOS from him at LTA County Week in July.
In an event that normally plays host to amateur players Murray took the time to help his home county in their hour of need, competing in three doubles matches in one day.
Ahead of the vital relegation play-off with Poland in Liverpool Conway slammed the notion Murray's lack of commitment has been the reason behind his Davis Cup call-offs in the past.
He said: "At county week Andy had to buy his own lunch, call his own lines and pay for his own petrol down to Eastbourne.
"He fully accepted that and it is great that somebody at the top of his sport never forgets his grassroots.
“Murray's shown full commitment this week and is fired up to face the Poles because he wants Great Britain back in the World Group.”
Colin Fleming is also in John Lloyd's team and while Conway is proud to see two North of Scotland players involved he hopes Andy's elder brother Jamie returns to the squad soon.
He said: "I am absolutely delighted for Andy and Colin but I feel for Jamie who is going through a rough patch just now.
"When speaking to him though he is hugely determined he is going to get right back up there.
"It is magnificent that the Davis Cup team could contain three players from the North of Scotland in the future so we must be doing something right."
Poland are not exactly one of the world's great tennis nations although they do have a dangerous doubles team in Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski.
The duo are ranked the 11th best team in the world and could pose problems for the doubles pairing British captain Lloyd decides to field tomorrow.