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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The other teams returning to the World Group next year after winning playoffs this weekend are Spain, Belgium, Australia, Canada and Japan. The Great Escape of Glasgow?
Mayer, who in June previous year was ranked 21 in the world, showed his experience in the third set as he immediately broke in the first game.
Evans was impressive in taking the first set but was outplayed from then on by his more experienced opponent, who has often saved his best performances for this competition.
At the brothers being told: “It looked like you were enjoying yourselves out there”, the crowd immediately began to make their voices heard, which sparked Andy to wave his arms in the air, gesturing as if to say “please, continue”.
Surprisingly the world No. 114 Leo Mayer was fielded against Evans and he pulled it off, playing like a top 20 player and not someone ranked below 100.
World number 56 Evans is yet to go beyond the third round of a major but held match point against eventual champion Stan Wawrinka at that stage before losing in five sets.
“We have always been playing well in Davis Cup”.
The hosts had got off to a hard start, with Andy Murray losing in five colossal sets and over five hours to the resurgent Juan Martin Del Potro. All morning, and then throughout Murray’s victory over Pella, there were competing rumours and whispers about whether Del Potro would play in a decisive fifth rubber.
The 29-year-old British player, speaking at a post-match press conference, was asked why exactly did he leave the court for medical treatment during the tie.
While Evans’ mind may have drifted back to the 3-2 loss to Lithuania in 2010, that also served as a reminder of what an incredible run Britain have been on.
His lowly ranking was misleading, a shoulder injury having caused him to plummet from inside the top 40 six months ago, but his form had clearly returned as he made 20 of 24 first serves to level at one set all. Might not be able to go on another run like that over the last couple of years but you know next year is another opportunity to try and keep building the team.
The third set began inauspiciously for the home team, though now a exhausted and sore Murray was back courtside, clenching his fist in support.
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But the tired Murray that Pella no doubt hoped to be facing was nowhere to be seen as the 29-year-old fizzed a backhand into the corner to break for 3-1.
