World number 53 Dan Evans will instead face 114-ranked Leonardo Mayer with the victor of that match securing a place in the final of the Davis Cup against Croatia – who beat France in the other semi-final on Sunday – after world number two Andy Murray levelled the semi-final in Glasgow at 2-2 with a 6-3 6-2 6-3 singles win over Guido Pella despite battling a thigh injury and tiredness. You do feel like you’re the one that lost the match for those guys.
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Trailing 2-0 on Friday following defeats for Andy Murray and Kyle Edmund at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena, the chances of Leon Smith’s team reaching a second successive final looked very slim indeed.
Evans has had a great summer, but he ran into a player that was not to be denied. We were confident that he could get out his best tennis on this surface.
He had nothing but praise for Evans, saying: ” It’s a tennis match and all we ask before the players walk out is to give your best effort.
The Argentinian nervelessly served out an eighth straight win in Davis Cup singles matches to send Argentina through to a final against Croatia in November. “I’m obviously exhausted just now – I know how their players will be feeling too”.
“I believe it will be an honour to play another final but today we will celebrate a semi-final victory”.
“We have always been playing well in Davis Cup”.
Andy Murray had been expected to play in Saturday’s doubles with Britain on the verge of defeat, but it was a surprise to see Del Potro back on court after the pair’s five-hour-seven-minute match on Friday.
Del Potro had hinted after the doubles on Saturday that he would not be turning out, but both he and Mayer warmed up on Sunday.
But the home fans will also realise amid the disappointment that Argentina were merited winners with and without Del Potro.
Argentina is into the final for the first time since 2011, and they will have a very good shot at ending the country’s run of four straight losses in the final, with Juan Martin del Potro performing so well.
It could not be disputed with Mayer winning 83percent of first serves to complete the victory despite some feverish British support.
“We had to keep it to ourselves until the last moment so Great Britain were (left guessing) a little bit but we knew from last night that Mayer would play”, Orsanic said.
On the face of it, it was straightforward, but Murray spent much of the third set wincing and needed an off-court injury time-out. He’s been able to play really well in different ties.
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“I have to go and see what’s up and get some treatment”.
