Davis Cup captain doesn't have to be big name, insists LTA

Published on 23/03/2010 21:01

THE Lawn Tennis Association is not necessarily looking for a big name to replace former Great Britain Davis Cup captain John Lloyd, according to chief executive Roger Draper.

Lloyd resigned following the dismal defeat to Lithuania which leaves them facing a July play-off against Turkey to avoid relegation to the lowest tier of the competition. Former Davis Cup players Greg Rusedski and Tim Henman have been linked with the post but Draper hinted the LTA was seeking someone already in the coaching system.

"We don't need a big name, we want somebody who is embedded in British tennis," said Draper. "It's a great opportunity for some young British coaches to come through."

Whoever gets the job will have to persuade Britain's best player Andy Murray to play on a regular basis. The World No 3 missed the Lithuania encounter and currently participates on a tie-by-tie basis. Draper insists he is happy with that arrangement as the Scot performing well on the ATP Tour will have greater long-term benefits.

He said: "(Murray] enjoys playing Davis Cup but his priority has got to be winning grand slams and major titles – that will get more people playing the game and it will inspire the next generation."

Meanwhile, Elena Baltacha and Katie O'Brien moved closer to booking places in the main draw of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami with victories in the first qualifying round.

Baltacha beat American Julie Ditty 6-4, 6-4 to set up a meeting with Yung-Jan Chan of Chinese Taipei.

The pair exchanged early breaks in the first set, before the Briton broke again in game nine and served out to 15 to claim the set. She then broke serve twice more to secure the second.

O'Brien won through by beating US wild card Christina McHale 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. She will next face Dutchwoman Michaella Krajicek.

The victories saw the pair take steps towards berths in the main draw alongside fellow Britons Anne Keothavong and Heather Watson, who was given a wild card.