Great Britain was looking for its first win over Argentina since 1928, was looking to reach its 21st final, its seventh consecutive tie victory, but most importantly of all, to defend the title won to such plaudits last year-and only five nations have managed to do that since the World Group was set up in 1981.
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Together, the Murray brothers have become the most reliable part of the British Davis Cup team, with their appearance in Scotland bringing their sixth doubles victory from their six matches.
In the absence of Juan Martin del Potro, who wasn’t in good enough shape to play on Sunday after wearing himself out with the ludicrous decision to play in Saturday’s doubles rubber, it was Mayer who stepped up.
But the Del Potro-Murray match took five hours and seven minutes, the longest match in Murray’s career.
In the first set, though, it was Evans who grabbed the early lead by breaking in the third game, and he held that lead through a lively first set, 6-4.
Argentina’s Davis Cup captain, Daniel Orsanic was very pleased with his players and has revealed that this moment deserves to be savoured.
“I have played so much tennis in the last few months, I need a break and I need it now”, Murray was quoted as saying by Sport24.
“I’ve never really had any muscle injuries before”, he said.
“I played incredible tennis”.
Agassi started well for U.S. by winning his match versus Guy Forget in four sets but then Leconte shocked Pete Sampras by winning against him in straight sets.
Orsanic said, “Originally we thought that he would play the fifth rubber if possible but, after Friday’s match, we couldn’t think of that”.
He said: ” It was an wonderful match, a great atmosphere.
“We might not have another run like the one we’ve had in the last couple of years but next year is another opportunity to try to keep building the team and give players the opportunity to play in an fantastic event”.
Great Britain’s Davis Cup captain Leon Smith feels it is important for his team members to now prove themselves on the ATP Tour.
On the verge of tears, Jamie continued: “You know we played a great match, it was exciting for me because Juan Martin [Del Potro] played the match, and for me, it’s exciting to play against the best players in the world”.
“We get together for Davis Cup two, three, in a great year four times – that’s awesome and it’s a great experience, and it’s an important competition for us, but what the players are doing on the main tour is more important”. Still, there is a world of difference between the fifth rubber of a Euro-African Zone and when there is a place in the Davis Cup final on the line.
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As Evans illustrated at the US Open a couple of weeks ago, where he came within a point of beating the eventual champion Stan Wawrinka in the third round, he has no shortage of talent. “We’ve got four days until the draw, we find out who we’re playing already, so we’ll figure that out”.
