Davis Cup 2026: What to look out for on day two of Great Britain vs Ecuador
• 3 minute read
What a day for the Brits in the Davis Cup second round Qualifier against Ecuador, with both Toby Samuel and Arthur Fery picking up singles wins at the Copper Box Arena.
The Lexus GB team lead 2-0 heading in day two and need just one rubber from the remaining three to qualify for the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna in November.
Looking ahead to the second day of action at the Copper Box Arena, and with everything still to play for, we preview four things to look out for for the remainder of the tie.
The Brits are just one win away from Final 8
It’s been a while since the Lexus GB team have been within touching distance of the Davis Cup Final 8, but now they’re just one win away from being back amongst the world’s best nations on one of the biggest stages in tennis.
Debutant Samuel placed his nation in perfect stead after fighting back from a set down to beat Andres Andrade 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in what was a landmark victory for the 24-year-old. Speaking after his win, Samuel said, “This is a big dream of mine. I was quite nervous at the start but I got myself going and got the job done for Great Britain."
Then, it was over to the Wimbledon semi-finalists Fery to close out the action with his second Davis Cup win against Alvaro Guillen Meza. The British No.1 made a strong statement on his return to British soil to give his country a 2-0 lead at the end of day one.
The Brits last competed in the Final 8 in 2023, where they lost out to Serbia in the quarter-finals. Since then, there have been some disappointing results, but with just one win standing in the way of them punching their ticket Bolgona in November, the home favourites will be gunning to carry their momentum into Sunday.
World's best doubles stars aim to seal the tie
The doubles rubber will kick-start the action on day two of the Davis Cup second round Qualifier, with Grand Slam champions Henry Patten and Neal Skupski given the opportunity to seal Great Britain's place at the Final 8.
On paper, not many can match the strength of Britain's doubles pairing. Between them, Patten and Skupski have reached the final at all four Grand Slam tournaments this season and lifted three of the four major titles.
Skupski, who usually partners American Christian Harrison on the ATP Tour, captured the first Grand Slam of the year at the Australian Open before adding the US Open crown to his collection just last week.
Meanwhile, world No.1 Patten has enjoyed a sensational season so far alongside long-term partner Harri Heliovaara, winning five ATP titles, including the Madrid Masters and emerging victorious at Wimbledon for the second time in his career.
While the pair do not regularly compete together on tour, they have already shown they can deliver on the Davis Cup stage. Patten and Skupski teamed up for a straight-sets victory on Patten's Davis Cup debut during the 2024 Finals Group Stage in Manchester.
Ranked No.1 and No.3 in the world respectively, the Brits will enter Sunday's rubber as the red-hot favourites. With a place in Bologna at stake, can two of the world's best doubles players deliver the win that sends Great Britain back to the Finals?
Can Ecuador stage a memorable comeback?
Great Britain may hold a commanding 2-0 lead heading into day two, but Ecuador have already shown this year that they are more than capable of producing a surprise.
Raul Viver's side booked their place in the second round Qualifier after pulling off an impressive upset against Australia in February. On that occasion, doubles specialists Gonzalo Escobar and Diego Hidalgo played a key role, alongside singles singles stars Andrade and Meza as Ecuador secured a famous victory.
Despite arriving in London as the underdogs on ranking, Ecuador boast plenty of Davis Cup experience and how how to rise to the occasion when representing their country. The visitors undoubtedly have a mountain to climb and will need to win all three remaining rubbers to keep their qualification hopes alive.
With nothing left to lose, they'll be determined to make life as difficult as possible for the host nation, so Great Britain will need to maintain the intensity and focus from the off, if they are to see out a memorable victory on home turf.
Will the home crowd carry the Brits to qualification?
It's safe to say the home crowd have been lapping up every second of the Davis Cup's return to London.
The British fans have been out in full force at the Copper Box Arena, bringing plenty of energy and noise to back the Lexus GB team in the arena that can sit up to 7,500 spectators. With an almost packed out crowd on Saturday, both Fery and Samuel pointed to their support as a key factor in helping them get over the line in their opening singles victories.
Speaking after his win, Samuel said, “Everyone gave me so much energy and support the whole match, I’m so thankful they were there."
With Great Britain now on the brink of the Final 8, the home crowd could have another huge role to play when we return on Sunday, as the Brits target one final victory.
Catch up with the latest results from Great Britain vs Ecuador
