• Davis Cup

Murray to take on Croatian 16-year-old

ESPN staff
September 12, 2013
Great Britain are looking to reach the elite Davis Cup World Group after five years in the wilderness © Getty Images
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Andy Murray will face the 16-year-old US Open boys' champion in Great Britain's World Group play-off rubber against Croatia on Friday.

Murray, the Wimbledon champion, takes on Borna Coric, who triumphed in the boys' competition at Flushing Meadows this year - a title which the Scot himself won in 2004.

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Dan Evans, who made it to the third round in New York, is set to take on Croatia's No. 1 Ivan Dodig in the second match.

Murray will also partner Colin Fleming in Saturday's doubles, with Jonny Marray on standby to replace either player if necessary.

Evans, James Ward, Fleming and Marray managed to seal a shock win over Russia without the help of Murray in Great Britain's last Davis Cup tie in April.

Coric, who also has three senior titles on the Futures circuit this year, spoke of the prospect of playing Murray before the draw was made.

"I don't think I can win - only if he injures himself," he said. "I haven't played a five-set match, so if I'm playing it's going to be tough."

It will be the teenager's Davis Cup debut after he was brought in due to the unavailability of Croatian number one Marin Cilic and number three Ivo Karlovic.

"It's unbelievable to play for my country," Coric added. "When I was eight or nine we won the Davis Cup - I was watching on the TV and hoping one day I'm going to play there."

The tie will take place on clay from Friday to Sunday in Umag, with a place in the elite World Group awaiting the winner. Great Britain have not competed at that level for five years.

The two countries have only met once before when Britain won 4-1 at Wimbledon in a 2007 World Group play-off.

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