EVEN without Andy Murray, Britain looks likely to advance to the ATP Cup quarterfinals.

Britain No. 1 Dan Evans outclassed Radu Albot 6-2, 6-2 to clinch the fifth-day match after Cameron Norrie beat Alexander Cozbinov by the same score yesterday.

A 6-2, 6-3 doubles victory for Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury over Albot and Cozbinov completed the 3-0 win over Moldova, leaving the British in a good position to qualify for the quarterfinals that begin Thursday at Sydney Olympic Park.

Murray announced late last month that he would not play at the inaugural ATP Cup or the Australian Open due to his continuing recovery from hip surgery.

Britain could top Group C and face Australia in Thursday’s first quarterfinal.

But the British, captained by Tim Henman, are more likely to advance to the knockout stages as one of the two best pool runners-up at the season-opening 24-team event.

“It would be a lot of fun if that were the case,” Henman said of the potential match against Australia. “Obviously I have a lot of history with Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt and everyone knows the team well. It would be a big challenge, but we would love that opportunity.”

In the opening match yesterday in Brisbane, Canada beat Germany 2-1.

(SD-Agencies)