Great Britain Davis Cup captain John Lloyd was today enjoying the 'nice headache' of picking a doubles pairing to take on Holland at the NEC in Birmingham.
Straight-sets victories for Andy Murray and Tim Henman in yesterday's singles rubbers gave the home side a 2-0 lead in the Euro-African Zone tie and overall victory looks assured.
Henman's return to the side after two and a half years, and the emergence of Murray and his older brother Jamie means Lloyd has plenty of options for this afternoon's doubles rubber.
Greg Rusedski and Jamie Murray were nominated as Britain's pairing at Thursday's draw but that can be changed up to 45 minutes before play starts, and it would be no surprise to see the Murray brothers in tandem or Henman playing alongside doubles specialist Jamie, who has won three doubles titles this season with American partner Eric Butorac.
Lloyd said: 'It's a nice headache to have. It's a tough decision. Everyone is playing well and they are all damned good. We've played a lot of doubles in the last few days and every possible combination have played together. They are all ready to go and keen to play and we have a lot of options.'
Henman, who overcame a nervous start with four double faults in his opening service game to beat Robin Haase 7-6 6-3 7-6, added: 'It's a unique situation. Previously it would have been Greg and I playing on Friday, Greg and I playing the doubles on Saturday and Greg and I back on Sunday. Now anyone can play with anyone else.'
Jamie Murray would appear the most likely to be sure of a place in the side, even though he would be making his debut in the competition.
Andy Murray said: 'He just wants to play, he's never played Davis Cup before,' Andy Murray said. When we were walking onto the court for the opening ceremony he said 'I have goosebumps, now I know I really am living the dream.'
'I don't think he's had a crowd like that before, they were unbelievable. He's really looking forward to playing. I'm sure he will be nervous but he's been nervous in matches before and played well. You want to play in front of a crowd that's very supportive, a big crowd and a knowledgeable crowd and they definitely are all of those. You can't really ask for much more.'
Murray revealed he had been troubled by his recent groin injury during his 6-3 7-5 6-2 victory over Raemon Sluiter, but felt he would be able to play again this weekend if required.
Murray continued: 'I felt it after the first few games. I had been practising but you don't really stretch yourself until you are in the match. It wasn't restricting my movement but I still felt it.'
That revelation prompted jeers from the pocket of Dutch fans inside the NEC as Murray was interviewed courtside, but the world number 11 had the last laugh.
Murray added: 'They were pretty loud during the match and calling me a 'choker' at the end. That was pretty surprising seeing the score.
'I think I should be able to play on Saturday or Sunday. I probably wouldn't play three days in a row, I'll speak to John and see what he wants to do, if he wants me to play doubles or save me for singles. He has so many options in the doubles, any of us could play together.'
