World number two Andy Murray has admitted that he is itching for a break after an exhausting few months post Great Britain’s dramatic 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the semi-final of the 2016 Davis Cup.
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But Evans, ranked 53rd in the world, could not finish the job and Argentina secured a final showdown with Croatia, who had earlier beaten France 3-1.
But Dan Evans, playing the decisive match against Leonardo Mayer, couldn’t complete the comeback as he lost 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
Andy Murray, whose defeat by Del Potro in a five-hour thriller in the opening singles on Friday left Britain facing an uphill task, had pulled the hosts level at 2-2 by beating Guido Pella 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 in the first of the reverse singles.
“After the tough years I have had, it was an awesome match for me and I was delighted when I got the call to be part of the team for the Davis Cup”, a jubilant Mayer said after his ninth consecutive win in Davis Cup play.
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.
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.
Evans, devastated, said: “I had a few chances but, after the first set, I wasn’t really in the match. I have to go and see what’s up and get some treatment”, Murray said.
Despite the improved strength in depth, Britain are still very dependent on their star player and there must be question marks over how much longer he is prepared to put his body through such gruelling weekends. While that was in fact Evans’ last singles win in this competition, he was in decent nick, having pushed eventual US Open victor Stan Wawrinka as hard as anyone at Flushing Meadows earlier this month.
Evans held on to the set’s end, but could not disrupt Mayer’s serve: The Argentine took the set, match and tie in the most impressive style, to love with a winning volley. “That’s why we chose him and fortunately we were right”.
It is the fifth time Argentina have reached the final as they attempt to win the title for the first time.
Kyle Edmund was beginning to make waves with his power game, and won both singles ties in the quarter-final against Serbia in the Cup quarter-finals.
“Leonardo’s match was something we believed could happen but I think it was a great effort on his part. The draw is on Thursday and we will find out where we are playing and figure it out”.
“I expected to feel exhausted and I knew I was going to be in some pain”, he said.
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“I’ve never really had muscle injuries before”.
