- Davis Cup
Evans recalled to face Italy in Davis Cup
British No.2 Dan Evans has been selected for Great Britain's Davis Cup quarter-final squad to face Italy alongside Andy Murray, James Ward and Colin Fleming.
With Murray set to partner Fleming for the doubles rubber, captain Leon Smith will hope that competition for the second singles berth between Ward and Evans will boost the team's chances in Naples.
"We have selected our top three singles players for the squad. Between them [they] have the most Davis Cup experience which is what we need for this tie," Smith told the LTA's official website.
"Obviously we are delighted that Andy is playing, and both Dan and James have enjoyed impressive Davis Cup wins over the last few years."
Evans was left out of the four-man team that beat the United States in the first round as Smith selected doubles specialists Fleming and Dominic Inglot to take on the Bryan brothers.
The 23-year-old reached his first ATP Tour semi-final in Zagreb in February, rising to a career-high ranking of No.123 in the world in the process, and played in the victories over Russia and Croatia last year, winning one of his three live singles rubbers.
"The number two singles spot is open," Smith added. "Both Dan and James have had good moments this year. That's why I want to see how they perform over the next 10 days of training."
Great Britain are playing in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup for the first time since 1986 but face a tough task on the Italian clay. Italy will be anchored by world No.14 Fabio Fognini and Andreas Seppi, who both favour the surface, with fellow top 100-ranked players Simone Bolelli and Paolo Lorenzi completing the quartet.
"It will be a good challenge playing on the clay in Italy. They have some very good clay court players with a passionate crowd behind them," Murray said.
"It will be a tough weekend and the games will be tight, but it's great playing in big matches like this in the World Group."
Doubles specialist Ross Hutchins will also travel to Italy as a reserve player following his return to the tour after battling cancer in 2013.
"Ross Hutchins could be brought into the final four depending on what options we feel are best for the tie," Smith said. "Both Colin and Ross also have a lot of Davis Cup experience between them."