AS Judy Murray conducted her press duties as British Fed Cup captain yesterday, she would have been forgiven for keeping one eye on her son's Monte-Carlo quarter-final which was ongoing at the same time
However, an offer to update her on the latest score was turned down. Murray is completely focused on the task at hand as she leads Britain into a crucial World Group 2 play-off against Sweden in the town of Boras.
To win promotion from Euro/Africa Zone Group I in Israel in February was a significant achievement, as it was the first time in eight years that Britain had managed to get out of what is a notoriously difficult stage to progress from.
But if Elena Baltacha, Anne Keothavong, Heather Watson and Laura Robson were to achieve victory for the away side in this best of five match tie, it would be truly monumental. Britain have not played a match in the World Group since 1993, the year before 18-year-old Robson was even born.
"It would be huge for British women's tennis but it would be huge for these girls who are playing," said an enthusiastic Murray.
Baltacha, ranked No.63, has the opportunity to give Britain the early advantage when she takes on world No.71 Johanna Larsson in today's opening rubber. The Scot has recovered from the foot injury which forced her to withdraw from last week's WTA Barcelona Ladies Open and relishes the chance to further improve her Fed Cup hard-court record of 19-1.
World No.79 Keothavong then faces Sofia Arvidsson, ranked No.54, before tomorrow sees the two reverse singles rubbers and a deciding doubles match if required. "I think we have a very good chance if everybody performs to the level that I know they can," added Murray. "We are very similarly matched in terms of rankings, so I think it will be a tight tie."
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