Cowan now plays on the exhibition circuit and commentates for television

Former British tennis player Barry Cowan has hailed the decision to bring the Davis Cup to Liverpool.

The Echo Arena will host the Euro/Africa group one relegation clash between Britain and Poland on hard courts from 18-20 September.

Cowan told BBC Radio Merseyside: "I'm shocked because it's never happened before. It's fantastic news that it's coming to such a great city.

"The one thing I can guarantee is the support will be patriotic."

Cowan, who represented Great Britain in the 2001 Davis Cup and held Pete Sampras to five sets at Wimbledon that year, believes the success of the Liverpool International Tennis Tournament may have been influential in bringing the matches to Merseyside.

Tennis is a great sport and it's a sport that has to be pushed by the government Barry Cowan

"The Liverpool Exhibition has been there for six or seven years, which I participated in and had great fun. The crowds there have been brilliant," he said.

"I'm sure they have seen it is possible to get a big crowd there and I'm sure they'll get a sell out for all three days.

"It's the role of the City Council to work alongside the LTA so Liverpool City Council have to take a lot of credit.

"Tennis is a great sport and it's a sport that has to be pushed by the government and I know they are trying to push it and get more people playing," added the Southport-born 34-year-old.

Great Britain lost 4-1 to Ukraine in Glasgow in March and must now beat Poland to avoid dropping into group two of the Euro/Africa zone - the third tier of the Davis Cup.

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