David Lloyd wants improved Andy Murray image

Former Davis Cup captain David Lloyd believes Andy Murray's chances of winning a major will improve if he works on his serve and his image.

The Englishman also says Murray should prioritise participation in the Davis Cup to build a sense of achievement.

"If you look at Nadal, Djokovic and Federer when they come on the court, they have a demeanour," said Lloyd.

"They are exceptionally well-dressed and clean-shaven. Andy doesn't come on like that."

Murray lost out in this year's Wimbledon semi-final to Rafael Nadal and was runner-up in the Australian Open final, but Lloyd felt the criticism of the British number one was unjustified.

He pointed to Murray's serve as a weakness in his game but refused to concede that the Scotsman had let the nation down.

"I think the criticism is unfair," said Lloyd. "Andy is a very good tennis player.

"He is definitely the third or fourth best in the world, but he's not quite as good as those three guys really.

"It's not that he played badly - I think what happened was his serve, his first serve, when that goes in, he can beat Nadal.

"If Andy is going to become that slightly better player - number two or number one in the world - he has to get more percentage of first serves. Then he can win a major. Otherwise, he's not quite good enough.

"He hasn't let us down - he played to the best of his ability - and it's a pretty good thing."

Lloyd also feels Murray's image sends the wrong message to his opponents and makes him seem weaker in crunch matches - and he should seek out a coach that is equal to the Scotsman's stoical personality.

"I know it's a silly thing, but mental stuff in tennis is so important," said the former Wimbledon doubles semi-finalist.

"It's a one-to-one game. If he could change his image a ilttle bit and go on with a little bit more fight. When players get to the third of fourth set of a five-setter, he's not going to be as tough mentally as them.

"He has great shots in him - one of the best back-hands in the world.

"I think he just needs a mental change and a change in his attitude. I would concentrate on finding a coach of real power who is not going to bow down to Andy and stand up to him."

Ahead of Friday's Davis Cup match against Luxembourg in Glasgow's Braehead Arena, Lloyd feels Murray should place a bigger emphasis on the premier international men's team event in the way Wimbledon champion Djokovic did as he inspired Serbia to a 3-2 win against France.

He also rejected any notion that Luxembourg would be an easy tie for Britain.

"If you would have thought of Luxembourg a year ago, it would have seemed easy," said Lloyd.

"But they've got Gilles Muller, who is a good player. It's not a slam-dunk.

"I think the Davis Cup should be one of the top things on Andy's list to play the Davis Cup. Put it up the calendar.

"If you ask Djokovic what his second-best moment was, I think you'll find it was winning the Davis Cup for his country.

"But I think he'll do great. It's great to be playing in Scotland, but it's not an easy match."

Roger Federer pulls out of Japan Open, Shanghai Masters

Roger Federer withdrew from the Japan Open and Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 on Friday, citing the need to rest after a physically challenging year.

The Japan Tennis Association said the top-ranked Federer was withdrawing from the Oct. 5-11 Japan Open, along with the Shanghai tournament the following week.

"After consultation with my team and doctors, I decided to take the difficult decision to withdraw from both tournaments," Federer said in a statement. "This will allow me a chance to give my body a chance to rest, rehabilitate and recover from a physically challenging year."

Federer reached the final of all four Grand Slams this year, winning the French Open for the first time in his career, then breaking Pete Sampras' record with his 15th major title at Wimbledon.

He also earned two points for Switzerland last weekend during a 3-2 victory over Italy in the playoffs to remain in the top-tier World Group of the Davis Cup.

It is the second time Federer has pulled out of the Japan Open just before the start of the tournament. He also cited fatigue as his reason for withdrawing from the 2007 event.

"I'm disappointed that I have to withdraw from Tokyo and Shanghai as they are two of my favorite cities," Federer said. "The fans have been great to me over the years."

U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro and third-ranked Andy Murray are scheduled to take part in the Japan Open.

Spain and Czechs through to final

Spain will host the Czech Republic in the Davis Cup final in December after both countries won their semi-finals.

Tommy Robredo and Feliciano Lopez beat Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram 7-6 6-7 6-4 6-2 to put Cup holders Spain 3-0 up against Israel in the best-of-five tie.

Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych sealed the Czech Republic's win over Croatia with a 6-1 6-3 6-4 victory over Marin Cilic and Lovro Zovko on Saturday.

And Roger Federer helped Switzerland beat Italy in the World Group play-off.

Stepanek and Berdych's triumph came on the back of singles victories for the pair on Friday when the Czech Republic opened up a 2-0 first-day lead in the semi-final, despite Ivo Karlovic firing a record 78 aces.

Karlovic broke his previous ATP record, but still lost in a gruelling five-set match to Stepanek.

In the second singles rubber, Berdych beat Cilic in four sets.

Earlier, champions Spain had secured a 2-0 lead over Israel thanks to convincing singles wins by Juan Carlos Ferrero and David Ferrer.

Ferrero thumped Dudi Sela 6-4 6-2 6-0 after Ferrer thrashed Harel Levy.

Spain went into their semi-final without injured top-10 pair Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco but that mattered little with Ferrer and Ferrero both impressing.

"It certainly wasn't as comfortable a win as it might have looked," said Ferrer, a 6-1 6-4 6-3 winner.

While Spain eased to a 2-0 lead, the Czech Republic only opened up their lead after a marathon day's play.

In total, Stepanek and Karlovic played out 81 games before the first break of serve at 14-14 in the decider.

During that time, Karlovic had sent down 78 aces, 23 more than his previous record in losing in this year's French Open first round to Lleyton Hewitt.

"I did my best, but Stepanek was there all the way," Karlovic said.m "After the loss, the serve record means little."

After sealing the decisive break and serving out for a match that lasted just six minutes shy of six hours, Stepanek said: "Everything is known about Karlovic. He really has a phenomenal serve."

In the second rubber, Cilic - who beat Andy Murray in the US Open - went down 6-3 6-3 3-6 4-6 6-3 to world number 18 Berdych.

Meanwhile, Federer helped Switzerland to a 3-2 win over Italy in Genoa to ensure World Group status for another year.

Federer had only just flown back to Europe following his five-set defeat by Juan Martin Del Potro in Monday's US Open final, but beat Simone Bolelli on Friday and then secured the decisive third point with a 6-3 6-0 6-4 win over Potito Starace on Sunday.

"It was a tough weekend for us and I'm happy I could help Switzerland win," said Federer. "I was able to play very well.

"I have to go on holiday badly. I have a problem with my leg, I have a problem with my arm - everything is hurting."

Other World Group play-off winners were Belgium, Chile, Ecuador, France, India, Serbia and Sweden.

Andy Murray given leeway on Davis Cup

Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Roger Draper is happy for Andy Murray to miss future Davis Cup matches as the Scot focuses on winning Grand Slams.

Murray hinted after Great Britain's relegation to Europe/Africa Zone Group II that it might be time to give other players an opportunity.

The British number one won both his singles rubbers but could not prevent a 3-2 defeat by Poland last weekend, which relegated Great Britain to the Davis Cup third tier.

And after the contest, the 22-year-old Scot said: "If I'm fit I'll play in the matches if the captain or the coach really, really wants me to play.

"If not they could be looking to the future to try to give these guys an opportunity.

"It's not a huge amount of progress if I win my matches and then we come into this level again and go straight back down.

"We need to make sure the guys who come in are ready and experienced enough to deal with these sort of matches. Right now they aren't."

World number three Murray played in the tie despite carrying a wrist injury but it was rookie Dan Evans who contested the decisive fifth rubber against Poland's Michal Przysiezny and the 19-year-old looked out of his depth as he lost 6-2 6-1 7-5.

And Draper added of Murray's suggestion that he might not play in Europe/Africa Zone Group II: "I'd completely understand why he'd be making those decisions because at the end of the day Andy should be focusing his attentions on winning Grand Slams.

"The choice is down to Andy Murray. Of course we'd love him to play for his country, but the reality is that Andy is at a different level now and it may be a fantastic opportunity to start blooding some of these players.

"Now may be the time to get some of these youngsters battle-hardened in tougher environments but you always want to open the door for Andy to play."

The second highest ranked British male player is James Ward (189), followed by Josh Goodall (235), Alex Bogdanovic (247) and Evans (303).

And team captain John Lloyd has already stated that more determination is required to develop a winning mentality.

"Do we need more hunger and steel out there? Yes we do," he said. "And maybe going down, we're going to be more ruthless with who we cut out of things.

"We can get tougher no doubt about it. I think if we do it the right way and dump some guys who should not, and will not be involved in teams if I'm around, I think we can get a good spirit going."

Nadal pulls out of Thailand Open

World number two Rafael Nadal has pulled out of next week's Thailand Open as he continues to recover from an abdominal injury.

The Spaniard, 23, suffered a heavy defeat by Juan Martin del Potro in his last outing in the US Open semi-finals.

Nadal was hampered by the injury at Flushing Meadows and withdrew from the Spanish squad that beat Israel to reach the Davis Cup final.

"The injury needs to be taken care of," said Nadal who must rest for 10 days.

An ultrasound found Nadal has an "acute rupture of his right abdominal muscle".

"I'm very disappointed not to be able to play in Bangkok," added Nadal.

"I'm really looking forward to playing next year in Thailand where I have a very loyal and big fan base."

Rusedski plans surprise comeback

Former British number one Greg Rusedski is planning a comeback at the age of 35 after almost two years in retirement.

The former US Open finalist wants to play again for Britain in the Davis Cup, but team captain John Lloyd told BBC Sport he had turned down his offer.

"I've asked for wildcards into some [ATP] events, so I'm going to see what happens," said Rusedski.

"It's another option for John if he wants it. If he doesn't and I don't have any form, well fair enough."

Rusedski told Eurosport: "I've always been passionate about the Davis Cup and feel I can give something back, whether it's in doubles or it's in singles."

He admitted Lloyd's rejection had come as a blow.

"Obviously anyone would be disappointed," he said. "To at least have a shot there, to play a few events, would have been nice.

"So I'm going to go into the [ATP] events and see what happens and take it from there."

The final years of Rusedski's career were plagued by injury, but he said: "Two years off and now being back in training for two-and-a-half months, the body feels great."

Lloyd told BBC Radio Five Live tennis correspondent Jonathan Overend that he had listened to Rusedski's request for a Davis Cup return but opted against it.

"We talked about it and I thought about it and I called him up the next day and told him this was not the right time," he said.

"I thanked him for desperately wanting to do it but I felt it was the time to move on with younger players."

Since retiring from tennis in April 2007, Rusedski has taken up a role at the Lawn Tennis Association to help identify and develop talented youngsters.

The Canadian-born 18-time ATP Tour winner had dismissed rumours of a Davis Cup comeback in September.

His return is totally reliant on tournaments giving him wild cards, and the likelihood is that he will swiftly abandon it if his requests are turned down.

Lloyd, however, did offer the big-serving left-hander encouragement for the future.

"If he was still willing to play tournaments and play enough matches then maybe we could talk again," he added.

"You know what you're going to get with Greg, someone who's going to fight 110% for every point."

Meanwhile, Lloyd has discarded Alex Bogdanovic for the Britain's match against Ukraine in Glasgow in March.

Lloyd has lost patience with the 24-year-old, who has not won a meaningful Davis Cup singles match in six attempts.

"I believe that Alex has had a lot of opportunities and he hasn't been successful," said Lloyd.

"It's time to move on and give other people a chance."

Lloyd will instead hold a play-off for the other singles places on his team between Josh Goodall, James Ward, Alex Slabinsky, Jamie Baker, Dan Evans and Colin Fleming.

Jamie Murray's place in the team is far from secure as he struggles to find his form in doubles.

Lloyd will pick only one doubles specialist and Murray faces strong competition from Ross Hutchins for that place.

"It's going to come down to results and at the moment Ross Hutchins is the form player," said Lloyd.

"I hope that Jamie gets himself sharp and wins matches because it's going to come down to that."

Tennis-Media hails Spain's team spirit after Davis Cup triumph

Spain's nailbiting Davis Cup final triumph over Argentina was hailed as a team victory in adversity by local media on Monday.

"The Invincible Armada" was the front page headline on sports daily Marca while daily El Mundo said: "The Plan B was made of gold."

Much was made of the side's ability to overcome the last-minute withdrawal of world number one Rafael Nadal through injury, and captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario's motivational skills.

Sanchez Vicario had been criticised in the media for not having a 'Plan B' after Nadal ruled himself out, when he called up the debutant Marcel Granollers in his place.

He then sprung another surprise when he replaced the out-of-form team number one David Ferrer with Fernando Verdasco for the clinching match against Jose Acasuso on Sunday, which Verdasco took 6-3 6-7 4-6 6-3 6-1.

A total of seven players have been involved in their four Davis Cup ties to earn victories against Peru, Germany, the United States and Argentina.

"(Sanchez Vicario) knew how to create this team spirit among all the players. I am just one more player in the squad and he has proved that," Nadal told Spanish state television after watching the final back home.

El Mundo recalled other recent sporting triumphs where Spanish teams have overcome the loss of a key player for the final.

Tennis-Nalbandian denies quitting Argentine Davis Cup team

David Nalbandian denied on Monday that he was considering quitting Argentina's Davis Cup team after their home defeat by Spain in the final at the weekend.

"For me, it's really an honour to represent my country," he told reporters. "I'm going to continue defending these colours in the best way possible."

"For me, playing the Davis Cup is the best and I'm upset that people have doubted me."

Despite missing world number one Rafael Nadal through injury, Spain won 3-1 to hand Argentina their first home defeat in 10 years and their third in three Davis Cup final appearances.

"I feel bad about the defeat," said world No. 11 Nalbandian. "They were tough, tense moments we went through.

"I had just as much faith with Rafael or without him. When he didn't come, everyone thought our chances had improved, but it didn't work out that way."

"This was our worst defeat. We had a sinister weekend."

"We've played in two Davis Cup finals in the last three years and I still think we can win it."

The reigning Spain - Davis Cup Winner

Spain's team ethos shone through as they won their third Davis Cup crown on a weekend of captivating drama in Mar del Plata.

We've had a few disappointing finals recently - last year's between the US and Russia was pretty drab, while Russia against Argentina in 2006 never really got going.

But this one delivered and the overriding memory for me will be the togetherness and sheer joy of the small nucleus of Spanish players and supporters as they celebrated victory amid 10,000 people in a packed stadium.

The moment belonged to Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco who combined to win the crucial doubles inbetween their respective singles successes.

The first match was relatively straightforward: David Ferrer came into the final with a lack of confidence and never got anything going, while David Nalbandian had the bit between his teeth and was all over his opponent from the start. Rubber one was almost a formality for Argentina.

But each of the other matches could have gone either way at different stages; they were games you couldn't take your eyes off.

Hostile
Juan Martin Del Potro won the first set of his match with Lopez but the Spaniard rose to the challenge and showed a lot of character - more than people thought that he had.

It was a pretty hostile environment so to rebound from a set down in both the singles and doubles in the manner that he did said a lot about him.

I don't think this will transform Lopez's singles form that dramatically next year as there are so few events played in those exact conditions.

He still got a few little weaknesses that the top guys will take advantage of; he's not the greatest mover - people can outmanoeuvre him and get him out of position and also his first serve is not as devastating as some and his slice backhand is not as effective.

You are only talking about five percent in every area but against the better guys that's all it takes for you to come out on the other side.

Del Potro didn't seem to have a Masters Cup hangover and if he had gone on and taken the second set then I think he would have won the match but he couldn't clinch it on the breaker and the combination of the opponent and the occasion got to him.


Compelling
Tellingly, Lopez and Verdasco looked like a team in the doubles; they've played together all year virtually while Nalbandian, who came in for Jose Acasuso, was a little bit disappointing in that match.

When it was going well he was all over Agustin Calleri but otherwise he was a little bit despondent and I don't think he helped his partner as much as he could have done.

I think everyone recognised that whoever won the doubles was going to have a great shot at closing out the final as Nalbandian would have fancied his chances in the reverse singles.

The tennis in the fourth rubber wasn't great until the fourth and fifth set when Verdasco calmed down and started playing a bit more to Acasuso's backhand but it wasn't a classic contest in terms of the beauty of the game even though it was compelling viewing.

Spain take lead after doubles win

Spain took charge of the Davis Cup final in Argentina thanks to victory for Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco in Saturday's doubles rubber.

The Spanish pair defeated David Nalbandian and Agustin Calleri 5-7 7-5 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 to give their side a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five tie.

A passionate crowd in Mar del Plata could not stop Spain and the tie comes down to Sunday's reverse singles.

Juan Martin del Potro is scheduled to open against David Ferrer.

However, the Argentine is a doubt with a thigh injury and his absence would seriously dent the home side's chances of a first Davis Cup win, while Verdasco could be preferred to Ferrer for Spain.

Argentina captain Alberto Mancini said the hosts were feeling the heat after going into the final as favourites.

"The boys are under a lot of pressure and it's not easy to deal with," he said.

"All the matches have been very even. I think we had a little bit of bad luck."

Nalbandian left the stadium after the doubles defeat without attending the scheduled press conference, which will lead to a fine of up to US$10,000.

The match hinged on a dramatic third set where Spain raced to a 5-1 lead before Argentina hit back to force a tie-break.

Argentina then led 5-1 in the tie-break before the Spanish won six points in a row to take the set.

"It was tough to go 5-1 up and then go to a tie-break, it was tough mentally, but that was the key," said Verdasco. "After that we played better and much looser."

Lopez added: "It was virtually a miracle how we won that tie-break.

"It was unforgettable to play with the crowd singing like this. Even though they were supporting Argentina, it was very enjoyable to play in."

However, Verdasco and Spain captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario were less than pleased by some offensive chanting.

"I didn't do anything to the crowd, it was them who turned against me," said Verdasco.

"It gave me more motivation, it increased my desire to win and helped me find more strength. I played better after they started insulting me."

Sanchez Vicario added: "It was a little disappointing, this is a sporting event and the winner is decided by what happens on the court.

"When they express themselves in a manner which lacks respect, they lose all the credibility they had gained until now.

"When you see so many people using words which I won't repeat here... it's something you don't expect from an educated public which understands tennis."

Lopez had brought Spain back into the tie on Friday with a superb singles win over Del Potro, after Nalbandian had beaten Ferrer.

World number one Rafael Nadal is not playing for Spain after his season ended with a knee injury two weeks ago.

The tie is being played on a fast indoor court, originally chosen to try and neutralise the threat of Nadal.

Argentina are seeking their first Davis Cup title, having finished runners-up away to the United States in 1981 and Russia in 2006.

Spain won the Davis Cup in 2000 and 2004, but lost three times as visitors in 1965, 1967 and 2003 - each time against Australia.