Draper unable to inspire Britain in Davis Cup defeat

Jack Draper could not animate Great Britain to a Davis Cup comeback triumph implicit Argentina arsenic his archetypal lucifer since reaching the US Open semi-finals ended successful defeat.

The British fig 1 was fixed an electrifying ovation successful Manchester but the temper flattened arsenic helium went connected to suffer 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 against Francisco Cerundolo.

Draper’s decision means the big federation missed the accidental to scope the Davis Cup Finals knockout signifier astatine the earliest opportunity.

British team-mate Dan Evans was beaten 6-2 7-5 by Tomas Martin Etcheverry successful the archetypal singles lucifer earlier connected Friday.

Evans aboriginal teamed up with Neal Skupski to assertion a consolation 6-3 7-5 triumph successful the doubles against Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni, leaving Argentina arsenic 2-1 winners wide successful the tie.

Leon Smith’s squad, who bushed Finland connected Wednesday, would person progressed with 2 wins from their opening 2 ties.

Instead, they are apt to request to bushed Canada connected Sunday successful what could beryllium a nerve-shredding contest.

Britain’s decision means Group D has been blown wide unfastened and, with Argentina playing Finland connected Saturday, immoderate of the 4 nations could inactive decorativeness successful the apical two.

Only 2 teams from the Manchester radical volition advancement to the 'Final Eight' lawsuit which takes spot betwixt 19-24 November successful Malaga.

Back connected location turf pursuing his exploits successful New York, Draper had been the centre of attraction successful Manchester - adjacent earlier playing.

The 22-year-old British fig 1 was rested for the opening necktie against Finland, with Evans and rookie Billy Harris justifying Smith's determination with victories.

But, aft being the speech of the municipality and receiving fantastic receptions erstwhile helium has been introduced to the assemblage earlier the ties, Draper had the accidental to marque an important interaction connected the tribunal against Argentina.

The left-hander had a abbreviated turnaround - emotionally and physically - aft Friday's semi-final decision by satellite fig 1 Jannik Sinner successful New York.

While understandably not astatine his best, Draper had plentifulness of chances to debar a straight-set defeat.

Unable to person 8 of 10 interruption points was a telling - and unwanted - statistic for the Briton.

Cerundolo, a clay-court specializer who is ranked 31st successful the world, produced an awesome level which seldom dropped throughout.

No wonderment helium described it arsenic "the lucifer of my life" afterwards.

Draper was regularly punished by Cerundolo's casual powerfulness connected the forehand wing, portion the Argentine produced a magical drop-shot to make a break-back constituent which helium took for 1-1 successful the 2nd set.

Still, Draper continued to make chances.

Not taking immoderate of 3 interruption points astatine 1-1, positive different 3 astatine 4-4, proved important arsenic Cerundolo pounced astatine 6-5 to gain a uncommon hard-court triumph for the South Americans.

Evans, 34, is the astir experienced subordinate successful a British squad which has a caller look pursuing the status of Andy Murray and Cameron Norrie's lack with an limb injury.

On the time wherever helium surpassed Mike Sangster to spell 2nd successful the British all-time database of Davis Cup ties played, Evans was besides near to rue not being capable to person his chances against Etcheverry.

Not capable to instrumentality immoderate of 4 interruption points successful a gruelling 4th crippled proved pivotal.

Sensing a state to onslaught successful the 5th game, 34th-ranked Etcheverry rapidly broke to instrumentality the upwind retired of Evans' sails and rattled disconnected the last 3 games for the opening set.

It has been a pugnacious twelvemonth for Evans, who has dropped retired of the world's 150, and his assurance dipped dramatically.

Little gets the champion retired of Evans similar the Davis Cup, however, and helium showed trademark tenacity to reset successful the 2nd set.

Rediscovering his service helped arsenic the brace traded holds, but the vexation and fragility reappeared arsenic helium crucially mislaid service successful the 11th game.

More absorption came arsenic Evans fought disconnected 5 lucifer points - and created 3 interruption points - earlier a relieved Etcheverry yet served retired victory.