LEON SMITH last night paid tribute to the commitment of Andy and Jamie Murray to the Davis Cup despite Britain losing its grip on the trophy in Glasgow.
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That meant the tie came down to a clash between Dan Evans and Leonardo Mayer, and it was the Argentinian who prevailed 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-4.
Croatia will be the opponent, in Croatia, in November, but for now all that matters is the win.
Gasquet looked like pulling the fixture back at two sets down after leading 5-4 in the third, but Cilic timed a three-game streak to perfection to see out the result and push Croatian into just their second Davis Cup final.
After such an effort from Murray to keep Britain in the tie, and also acknowledging the efforts of the backroom team who combine to make the Davis Cup squad all that it has become, the disappointment bit hard.
“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 incredible event”.
Victory for Murray would ensure that the match would hinge on a decisive final rubber between Britain’s Kyle Edmund and probably Juan Martin del Potro.
Argentina, who will be hoping for their first victory in the tournament at the fifth attempt, will travel to Croatia for November’s final after the Croats booked their berth with a 3-2 win over France in Zadar. When you reflect back on it we’ve had a hell of a run.
Attention then turned to Evans on Sunday afternoon as he faced off with Mayer but, despite taking the opening set with the only break of serve in the third game, the 26-year-old was unable to push on. Already a top-60 player, Edmund could even have his ranking inside 40 by February.
Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer serves against Great Britain’s Dan Evans, during day three of the … “I haven’t been able to play because of (shoulder) injury so I am delighted to be back on form”, Mayer said.
“I’ve never really had any muscle injuries before”, Murray told BBC Sport.
On paper, it was very good news for Britain but Mayer was ranked as high as 21 last summer and went into the match on an eight-rubber winning streak in Davis Cup singles.
He did not face a break point over the course of two hours and 11 minutes but was stretched more than the straightforward score might suggest, with Pella testing the Wimbledon champion’s energy levels.
“I have a lot of sharp pain in my right quad”.
Murray was recently forced to go off court for treatment to his upper thigh during his 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win over Pellato. I need a rest.
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“I am very proud of all these players, the ones who aren’t here, the coaches”, Orsanic told the BBC after victory was confirmed.
