Ward hands Great Britain initiative with opening rubber win

JAMES Ward cruised through the opening singles rubber to hand Great Britain the initiative against minnows Lithuania in their Davis Cup Europe/Africa Zone group II clash in Vilnius.

MOMENTUM BUILDER: James Ward wins on his Davis Cup debut to kick start Great Britain's clash with minnows Lithuania (Getty Images)

The 23-year old, ranked 250 in the world, had few problems against Lithuanian number two Laurynas Grigelis, stepping up his game after a nervous first set to prevail 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.

It may not have been Ward's biggest scalp, against a player ranked 252 places below him, but the victory was a momentous one.

It's been 13 years since anyone other than Tim Henman, Greg Rusedski or Andy Murray won a live singles Davis Cup rubber with Andrew Richardson having claimed that honour against Zimbabwe.

And Ward never looked in doubt of ending that miserable record against Grigelis.

The court was prepared perfectly for the Brit, with the fast indoor surface complimenting Ward's booming serve and flat forehand.

Playing in his debut Davis Cup match, the youngster took some time to settle into the first set but after a couple of missed chances in the opening games, the Brit broke serve at the fifth time of asking to go 5-4 ahead before sealing the set.

Two further breaks followed in a one-sided second set as Ward stepped up his level and after a brief wobble at the start of the third set, the Brit cruised home.

Great Britain will look to continue their momentum in Lithuania when Dan Evans takes on world number 199 Ricardis Berankis in the second singles rubber next on court in Vilnius.