Region to serve up Davis Cup tie

NORTH West sport received a boost today as the Lawn Tennis Association revealed that Liverpool is to host a Davis Cup match this autumn.

In what will be a first for the city, the Echo Arena will stage the Great Britain versus Poland Group 1 relegation tie from September 18 to 20.

The matches  will be played on an indoor hard court with an arena capacity of 4,000 to 5,000. Great Britain has played Poland seven times in the Davis Cup competition with Britain winning all previous ties. The last tie was held in Poland in 1991 with Great Britain defeating Poland 4-1.

John Lloyd, AEGON GB Davis Cup captain, said: “Liverpool is a fantastic city with a rich sporting pedigree and I’m very excited to be taking the tie to the North West.

Cllr Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool city council, said: ”To stage this crucial Davis Cup tie is a huge coup for Liverpool and underlines the city’s reputation as a natural home for world class events.”

The North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has worked with the council to bring the event to Liverpool and is also sponsoring the event.

Peter Mearns, executive director of communications and marketing at the NWDA, said: “Hosting the Davis Cup will raise the profile of Liverpool and England’s Northwest even further, and hopefully attract even more major events to the city.”