Rusedski To Coach Youngster Edmund

Former British number one, Greg Rusedski, has been announced as the new coach of promising youngster Kyle Edmund.

Edmund is the highest ranked British teenager and having recently broken into the top 300 in the world, has opted to recruit the former world number four as he aims to rise further.

Rusedski has begun his post immediately, travelling with the nineteen year old to a challenger event in Vercelli. Edmund has already won four matches after coming through qualifying before defeating fourth seed Alijaz Bedene 6-3 6-2 in the opening round.

Edmund's appointment replaces his previous coach, Colin Beecher who works for the LTA and had worked with Edmund to earn him a spot on the GB Davis Cup team in February.

But current LTA Chief Executive Michael Downey believes this is the right decision, telling the BBC, "I think this is great that this has happened. No disrespect to Colin Beecher, who did great work, but change sometimes should happen. I think it reflects very highly that not only did Kyle look for a change but that Greg wanted to step up and take on this challenge. Greg has stepped over the line, and said 'give me the keys'."

Edmund is next in action on Thursday in the second round of Vercelli, where he faces the hardened French veteran David Guez for a place in the quarter-finals.

Published on SEaT Capital.

GB Davis Cup Squad Announced

Leon Smith has announced his GB Team to face Italy in Naples on the 4-6 April.

After victory against America in the opening round of the World Cup Group stage, Smith's team take part in the quarter-finals of the highest stage of the Davis Cup for the first time since 1986.

The team chose to travel to Naples are Andy Murray, Dan Evans, James Ward and Colin Fleming, with Ross Hutchins also travelling as the reserve player.

Evans returns to the squad in place of Kyle Edmund after last competing against Croatia in September 2013 whilst Hutchins also rejoins in place of Dominic Inglot after his comeback from Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Captain Leon Smith told the LTA, "We have selected our top three singles players for the squad who between them have the most Davis Cup experience which is what we need for this tie. Obviously we are delighted that Andy is playing, and both Dan and James have enjoyed impressive Davis Cup wins over the last few years."

"We also have strong options in doubles. Andy and Colin have enjoyed success together before, having reached the final in Montreal last August and also winning their last Davis Cup doubles rudder against Croatia in September. Ross Hutchins could be brought into the final four depending on what options we feel are best for the tie. Both Colin and Ross also have a lot of Davis Cup experience between them."
The team will compete on clay courts at the Tennis Club Napoli over the course of next weekend as they seek to defeat Italy and claim a spot in the Davis Cup semi-finals.

Published on SEaT Capital.

Sports Ladder (28th January - 3 February)

UP - Team GB - For the first time since 1986 Great Britain have made it through to the quarter final of the Davis Cup after an outstanding display on the clay courts of San Diego. Despite a loss in the doubles the British contingent won all three singles matches to claim an unassailable 3-1 lead. The highlight was inevitably a superb five set victory for James Ward over Sam Querrey.

UP - Seattle Seahawks - Not only did the Seahawks win this years Superbowl but they crushed the Denver Broncos 43-8 on a cold night in New Jersey. The pre-match discussion revolved largely around the Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning who once again choked in a playoffs match. He has now lost 12 of 23 post-season games. Inconsistant.

UP - Atletico Madrid - Has La Liga turned from a two-horse race to a three-horse race? It certainly seems so! Atletico Madrid are currently leading La Liga for the first time since 1996 and with both Barcelona and Real Madrid slipping up at the weekend Atletico now hold a three point lead at the top. The in form Diego Costa has arguably been the best player in Spain this year.

UP - Women's Tour de France - Good news for female cycling as they finally have an event in the Tour de France. On the final day the women will compete in a one day race to Champs Elysees. Described as a "game changer" for womens cycling who have not had a Tour de France even since 2008. Perhaps we could have a double British winner?

UP - Zac Purchase - Worth mentioning the retirement of double Olympic medalist Zac Purchase. Purchase, 27, won a silver medal during his home Olympics in 2012 as well as a gold medal four years earlier in Beijing. A fantastic rower and an outstanding Olympian I wish him well in the rest of his career.

DOWN - Kolo Toure - Oops. Not the finest game of Kolo Toure's career. A horrific moment as he single-handidly gifted West Brom a point by passing the ball straight to Victor Anichebe. A moment of madness which Liverpool cannot afford if they wish to get back into Europe. Toure has hardly set the world on fire since his move from Manchester City and will need to do a lot more to prove himself to the fans now.

DOWN - Andy Flower - Despite spending months claiming he would not step down Andy Flower has gone more or less full u-turn and resigned this week. Probably for the best after the 5-0 Ashes whitewash. The resignation came after new managing director Paul Dowton decided he wanted one coach to cover all formats instead of different coaches as it is at the moment. Looks like this flower hasn't blossomed.

DOWN - Kim Kallstrom - On Deadline Day in the summer Arsene Wenger signed Mesut Ozil to the delight of Arsenal fans. This January Deadline Day he signed Kim Kallstrom on loan to slightly less delight. This small quantity of delight completely disappeared the next day when it emerged he will be out for around a month after arriving at the club injured, even though he managed to complete his medical. Awkward.

DOWN - Barcelona and Real Madrid - It is extremely rare to find a weekend where Barcelona lose a League match. It is even more rare to find out where Real Madrid also fail to win. Yet that is exactly what happened this weekend as they collected just one point between them, leaving Atletico Madrid as the solo front runners. Could there be a new winner for the first time in ten years?

DOWN - Sebastian Vettel/Red Bull - You would be hard pressed to find anyone who would suggest Sebastian Vettel has not been the best driver in Formula One over the last few years. However, this weeks pre-season testing would suggest that perhaps his reign is coming to an end. Issues with the reliability of the car have left him and the team leaps and bounds behind their rivals before the season starts in March.