Taylor: Lee can take pressure off big two

Burden
By Craig McWalter
April 12 2002

Britain's top two players have been carrying the hopes of the Davis Cup team for the last few years, playing all the significant singles and doubles matches, barring injury.

The pair have built up an impressive doubles partnership, remaining unbeaten in six ties, but often pay the price for their efforts when it comes to the reverse singles and a possible third five-set match in three days.

Taylor and his predecessors have had little choice but to continue the status quo while faced with a lack of credible alternatives, but the former Wimbledon semi-finalist feels British number three Lee could be ready to step into the breach.

And the 24-year-old left-hander may get his opportunity in September's World Group qualifying tie after Britain were handed a dream home draw against minnows Thailand.

"Martin Lee is on standby all the time and waiting for his opportunity to play Davis Cup," said Taylor.

"He is improving all the time and by September I think he will have made another step forward.

"Tim and Greg are unbeaten in the doubles, once again they will be doing a lot of the work, which they expect to do. It would be nice to have more players but I think they are keen to spearhead the team.

"Martin is trying to establish himself inside the top 100 (he is currently ranked 100th) and I think between now and September if he can push ahead again he puts more pressure on the players ahead of him.

"I think he is ready to play Davis Cup - he hasn't yet played a live match - and by September it will be interesting to see what level he is at."