Tearful Leonardo Mayer fired Argentina into the Davis Cup final after his victory over Evans handed his side a 3-2 victory over Great Britain.
Advertisement
In Britain’s run to winning the competition past year, Andy played in 11 of the 12 rubbers won by Leon Smith’s team and did not lose a single match he played.
Murray, who appeared to strain a muscle in the third set, breezed past Argentina’s Guido Pella in straight sets in front of a partisan crowd, winning 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.
Juan Martin del Potro was due to play Argentina’s final match, but in a surprise move from captain Daniel Orsanic, it was Mayer who was designated to play the decider against Evans.
The South Americans will now face Croatia, which beat France in the other semifinal, in the final from November 25-27.
Argentina substitute Leonardo Mayer ended Britain’s reign as Davis Cup champions with a 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 win over Dan Evans to secure an enthralling 3-2 triumph in the fifth rubber of their semi-final on Sunday.
However, Evans was to suffer the same fate as Edmund, winning the first set but then fading as Mayer prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. But that was something we couldn’t say to the press. “To come out and get the win with Jamie today was great”, three-time Grand Slam victor Andy said.
He said of the Murray brothers having to cope with the death of their grandfather: “It would for sure have been very hard, no doubt about it”.
“I do not know what it is about the Davis Cup it brings out the best in me”.
The South Americans had led 2-1 going into Sunday’s reverse singles following wins for del Potro and Pella in Friday’s singles.
The next year too they went on to retain the Davis Cup by winning against the same opponents, but at home.
“He’s a great Davis Cup player, he absolutely loves it, but he has to be smart with his schedule next year”.
Great Britain have been knocked out of the Davis Cup by Argentina, failing to successfully defend last year’s title.
In Sydney, John Peers and Sam Groth earned a 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/2) win and an unassailable 3-0 advantage for Australia against Slovakia.
Needing just one point to claim a place in their fourth final in 10 years, Argentina captain Daniel Orsanic kept faith with Pella, who saw off the challenge of Kyle Edmund in four sets on Friday, for the showdown with the world number two.
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.
Advertisement
“I felt a lot of pressure on my serve That was it really – he served unbelievable”. “I expected to feel exhausted and I knew I was going to be in some pain”.
