Murray to abandon Britain’s Davis Cup tie in Lithuania

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PERTH - Andy Murray will concentrate on his ATP form as he misses Britain’s March 5-7 Davis Cup Euro-Asian zonal tie with Lithuania, the Scot confirmed Sunday.

Murray is making his debut this week at the eight-nation Hopman Cup, partnering talented teenager Laura Robson.

But his travel plans in two months will not include Lithuania, with the tie inconveniently placed the weekend before the start of the first Masters 1000 event of the season in Indian Wells, California.

March is a big month for Murray, who lost the Californian final to Rafael Nadal last season before winning the hardcourt crown in Miami a fortnight later.

“It’s unfair to say I’m abandoning Britain. Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Sampras and Agassi - much better players than me - have all missed Davis Cup ties. It’s not like if I don’t play we will lose,” said Murray, fourth in the world.

“It’s time for the other guys to play and win ties. I’ll make my decisions on a tie-by-tie basis.”