ADVERTISEMENT

Argentina to face Croatia in Davis Cup final

Leonardo Mayer was Argentina's hero as he beat Dan Evans in the deciding rubber to end Great Britain's Davis Cup reign and set up a final against Croatia.

___5504839___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___5504839___2016___9___19___2___leonardomayercropped_fgd59ivxtxsl1e134bgtuyvtj

It was world number 114 Mayer rather than Juan Martin del Potro who stepped up for a win or bust final match of a gripping semi-final in Glasgow after Andy Murray had beaten Guido Pella 6-3 6-2 6-3 to level the tie at 2-2 on Sunday.

Mayer and Del Potro were unable to put their country in the final when they lost to Wimbledon and Olympic champion Murray and his brother Jamie Murray in the doubles on Saturday, but the 29-year-old came from a set down to see off Evans 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 and settle the tie.

The South American nation have never won the Davis Cup, but can now look forward to a fifth World Group final in Croatia from November 25-27.

Mayer was inspired after losing the opening set, thriving on the pressure to quieten a partisan crowd, belting down 15 aces and only failing to hold on one occasion to repay the faith shown in him by captain Daniel Orsanic.

ADVERTISEMENT

Evans, who gave eventual champion Stan Wawrinka a major scare in the US Open recently, was broken on four occasions and was unable to halt Mayer's momentum as the holders failed to pull off an epic fightback.

Murray had earlier wasted no time in seeing off Pella in straight sets, but needed a treatment off court in the third set after injuring his thigh and revealing he was ready for a rest after returning to complete a straightforward win.

Del Potro revealed that his legs, wrist, back and right shoulder were troubling him on Saturday and watched on as his team-mate Mayer wrapped up the tie.

Croatia, Davis Cup winners 11 years ago, will have home advantage in the final after Marin Cilic beat Richard Gasquet 6-3 6-2 7-5 in the fourth rubber to give his country an unassailable 3-1 lead in Zadar.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh

ADVERTISEMENT