British tennis officials "are still scrambling for a venue to host the Davis Cup semi-final against Australia barely six weeks before the tie takes place," according to Mike Dickson of the London DAILY MAIL.
Glasgow’s Emirates Arena has always been -- and remains -- favorite, but there are "logistical challenges to overcome due to clashes with other events in the city that weekend, and two alternatives in England are still said to be in contention."
Celtic has a match next door on the Saturday of the three-day match, which is happening from Sept. 18-20. There is also a large independence rally in Glasgow that day, "something of an irony with this Scottish-led GB team performing at the same time." The Lawn Tennis Association, hosting a semifinal for the first time since '78, looked at the Manchester Arena and the Liverpool Echo Arena, but the two realistic alternatives "are said to be in the Midlands and South East." The National Exhibition Centre and Wembley Arena "were originally mentioned as possible places to play, but the team would most like it held in Glasgow, where an electric atmosphere was created" for this year’s first round against the U.S. (DAILY MAIL, 8/5).
