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Smith looking to the future ahead of Turkey clash

Great Britain's Davis Cup team pose for photos © Getty Images

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British No. 3 Jamie Baker will kick off Great Britain's must-win Davis Cup tie against Turkey in Eastbourne on Friday.

Baker will face the Turkish No. 2 Ergun Zorlu in the first rubber on Friday, before James Ward meets Marsel Ilhan in the Europe/Africa Zone Group II play-off tie.

It is Leon Smith's first test as Davis Cup captain after taking over the reins following John Lloyd's resignation after Britain's defeat to Lithuania in March, but despite the pressure to win the tie, Smith insists the team are looking beyond this weekend's result.

"I've really enjoyed the preparation so far and I am looking forward to the tie," Smith said. "The guys have been excellent, working hard, specifically on their game. I have a lot of belief in this group and feel their best years are ahead of them.

"We don't think about the outcome, we're using this week not just to practice, but to improve. We're clear on our strategy. Hopefully it's the start of moving back up. It's all about us as a team. We're all together on this, we're motivated and ready to go."

Ward, ranked No. 301 in the world, will face a tough opponent in world No. 103 Ilhan, who reached the second round at Wimbledon this year. But having beaten the Turk on their previous two encounters, Ward had reason to be optimistic. He also reached the quarter-finals at Eastbourne last month.

"It helps coming back to Centre Court where I played three good matches at the AEGON International recently," Ward said. "I'm looking forward to a good match on Friday and I'm confident that I can win. I've beaten Ilhan twice and I know he is a good player. The home support will count."

Baker was named in the squad for the Lithuania tie but was forced to withdraw with injury."I'm excited, I look forward to these matches more than any other professional match. It's too long since I last played so I can't wait to get out there," he said.

In the World Group quarter-finals, holders Spain are without world No. 1 Rafael Nadal for their match against France in Clermont-Ferrand.

But with Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer, Nicolas Almagro and Feliciano Lopez to choose from, Spanish captain Albert Costa will be confident of continuing his side's impressive unbeaten record that stretches back to April 2007, with France not having beaten Spain since 1923.

In the first meeting between Croatia and Serbia, world No. 2 Novak Djokovic returns to the team. He will take on Ivan Ljubicic on Friday before meeting Croatian No. 1 Marin Cilic on Sunday.

Nikolay Davydenko kicks off Russia's tie against Argentina with a clash against former world No. 3 David Nalbandian, while in the final quarter-final Chile take on Czech Republic.

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