British Tennis - Lawn Tennis Association

Colin Fleming & Ross Hutchins have won the doubles to give GB a 2-1 lead over the Slovak Republic in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas.

The top British doubles duo defeated Filip Polasek & Michal Mertinak 6-3, 7-6(4), 0-6, 6-3 in two hours and 45 minutes at Braehead Arena Glasgow.

"I think the home advantage made all the difference," said Colin Fleming after the match. "We got to choose the court and then, in the match, it all came down to just a few tight moments and the crowd got us through it."

Fleming & Hutchins took the first set after breaking Filip Polasek’s serve in the sixth game to give GB a 5-2 advantage. The set stayed with served and the British pair were two break points down in the ninth game before they fought back with some steady volleying.

The second set was a tighter affair which went to a tie-break. The Brits managed to find the mini-break after Polasek hit a ball long. The Slovakians then fought back to even the scoreboard to 4-4 but Fleming & Hutchins then won three points in a row to take the set.

The third set was a completely different story in which the Slovakian pairing were flawless. After Filip Polasek & Michal Mertinak broke Hutchins in the first game, they carried on in the same vain taking the set to love.

The fourth set stayed with serve until the sixth game where the Briton’s broke the big serving Polasek. In the last game of the set, Hutchins & Fleming had two match points, the first was made available after Polasek netted a forehand and Fleming set up the second with a winning volley. Hutchins then coolly served out the match with an ace.

"It was the best crowd I've ever had here," added Ross Hutchins. "Colin played brilliantly today. The boys fought so hard yesterday so we really wanted to do our bit. We've got a big job to do on the bench tomorrow, supporting the team."