Russia starts strong in Davis Cup

Moscow - Russia got off to a strong start in the Davis Cup as Dmitry Tursonov eked out a win over Great Britain’s Daniel Evans.

Tursonov, ranked 67 in the world, took his opening singles match 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 at Coventry’s RICOH Arena Friday despite a fighting effort from the World No.325 Evans.

Tursonov, who has seven ATP Tour wins, recovered from a lost tie-breaker in the second set to capture the third, rallying back from a 15-40 deficit before taking the set on a double fault from Evans. After winning the fourth set, Evans carried momentum into the fifth but Tursonov got ahead 3-2 and never looked back.

World No.80 Evgeny Donskoy faces James Ward, ranked 214, Sunday.