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Davis Cup to remain best-of-five

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Davis Cup singles matches will remain as best-of-five sets after a proposal toshorten them was rejected.

A vote of member nations at the International Tennis Federation’s AGM saw 63.54 per cent vote in favour of a change to best-of-three sets, but the motion required a two-thirds majority to pass.

It had been expected to be the most straightforward of the big changes to force through as the ITF looks to reduce the strain on the leading players and tempt them back to the competition.

ITF president David Haggerty said: “We respect the decision of the AGM but are disappointed that our member nations have not approved the full package of Davis Cup and Fed Cup reforms endorsed by the ITF Board.

“Change is needed to ensure the long-term future of these iconic and historic competitions, and we remain committed to working with our national associations and other stakeholders on finding ways to enhance Davis Cup and Fed Cup.”

Three small changes were voted through, with the finalists in both Davis Cup and Fed Cup guaranteed the choice of hosting their first-round tie the following year.

There will be reduced pre-tie commitments for players, meanwhile, and reduced requirements for court availability, lowering costs for national associations hosting matches.

Davis Cup in particular has struggled to attract the leading names in recent years, with this season’s first-round ties a low point.

The failure to force through a relatively simple change does not bode well for the ITF’s hopes of more major shake-ups, including the move to a neutral final.

The world governing body announced in June that the board had approved a proposal to stage an event in Geneva from 2018-2020 featuring both the Davis Cup and Fed Cup finals.

But it subsequently decided to defer a vote on the plans until next year to “allow more time to reach alignment”.

We will have the Masters 1000 series in Montreal and Cincinnati covered via our website skysports.com/tennis and you will also be able to watch all the action live on Sky Sports.

On the move? Head to our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation. Who will win the US Open titles this year? Have your say…

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