It is their first such deficit since a remarkable recovery in a World Group play-off against Russian Federation in Coventy in April 2013 but they didn’t have a player of the calibre of Del Potro in their ranks.
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Great Britain will be the favourites in the doubles if both Murray brothers combine forces, but with Andy having played the longest match of his career, the Argentines must fancy their chances of wrapping things up on the Saturday. While no-one in the Great Britain camp was admitting defeat, Argentina now have the luxury of keeping Del Potro fresh for the return singles, against either Edmund or Dan Evans.
The roar of approval from the 9,000 or so supporters in the Emirates Arena as he left the court couldn’t have been any louder had he been the victor rather than the vanquished. He is a risky player, a fighter and great champion. I thought the crowd were fair on both sides’. I tried my best on every point and that’s all you can do. I have never played a match that long. I will probably make a decision then. “It has been hard”, he said.
“Juan Martin played an incredible match and I knew this was my chance”.
“I know where I went wrong”.
“Doubles is always a tough match”. I think the crowd enjoyed that and of course when you win these kind of matches it’s great.
It was a crushing blow for Edmund, who played so well in the US Open, and for an hour or so here.
While Smith said it was one of his most disappointing days as captain, he was insistent his team wouldn’t give up the fight.
There have been some heady days for Leon Smith’s team in the competition in recent years, but this was not one of them. We are still in it, we have to keep fighting.
“I am very happy to get the second point for Argentina and the team”, Pella said.
Eventually the Argentine’s aggression told – he broke for 4-3 with a brilliant forehand victor, drawing audible gasps from the pro-Murray crowd.
Andy Murray has no regrets because knows he fought from the beginning until the end: ‘It’s very fine margins.
“That happens in tennis, happens in sport some times”. It could have gone either way.
“The Olympics match was extremely close as well”, the Scot added.
“But the moment I lost a little bit of focus he was there and I had to work hard to stay in control of the match”.
While his forehand was as potent as ever, it was his serve that was excellent for long periods and he made only 28 unforced errors across the five sets.
“It’s very special for me and also the way of my tennis”.
He was below his best at the beginning of this contest and the first set was lost with the net being struck with frustrating regularity from both wings.
Del Potro for continuing a heart-warming recovery from two career-threatening wrist injuries and overcoming the mental barrier of losing his last seven five-set encounters. “So exhausted. I’ve got cramps everywhere”. “I feel well, I am not overly exhausted”.
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In the other semi-final, late call-up Richard Gasquet put France ahead against Croatia with a 6-2 7-6 6-1 win over Borna Coric but Marin Cilic hit back in Zadar with a 6-1 7-6 2-6 6-2 victory against Lucas Pouille.
