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Davis Cup: Leon Smith 'extremely proud' despite Great Britain's defeat by Argentina

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Leonardo Mayer win ends GB Davis Cup reign

Great Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith said he was "extremely proud" of his team after the 3-2 semi-final defeat by Argentina in Glasgow.

Britain hit back from 2-0 down to force a decider, but Leonardo Mayer beat Dan Evans 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 to seal victory.

It ended a seven-tie winning run that included last year's final - Britain's first Davis Cup triumph for 79 years.

"We've had an unbelievable run in this competition over the last couple of years," Smith told BBC Radio 5 live.

"I don't think people would have mapped that out a few years ago, what the team has achieved, so I'm extremely proud of them."

It was only the third defeat in 17 ties stretching back to 2010, when Smith took charge for a lowly Group 2 Europe/Africa relegation play-off against Turkey.

Andy Murray won 11 points as he led the side to the title in 2015, but Britain achieved their first World Group win without him when they beat Serbia in July.

With Kyle Edmund, now ranked 55, and Evans, who is at a career-high 53, Smith is less reliant on the combination of Murray and a strong doubles team.

"That's a big plus," said Smith. "I've been saying for a while the most important thing is what the players are doing on a week-by-week basis.

"To have singles players in the draws at ATP 500s, Masters Series, main draw of Grand Slams... it's much, much better. So when we do get together for Davis Cup we now have better depth. Long may that continue."

Leon Smith and Dan Evans
Smith (left) chose Evans (right) over Edmund to come in for the final match

Murray, the world number two, will remain the lynchpin for any immediate hopes of another Davis Cup success but says he is in need of a break.

The 29-year-old, who has enjoyed a hugely successful summer that included victories at Wimbledon and the Olympic Games, felt the effects of a gruelling season in the latter stages of Sunday's win over Guido Pella.

"I've never really had any muscle injuries before," said Murray. "That was worrying for me and thankfully I managed to get it done in straight sets. I was still moving okay, but when you get pain in your body it distracts you."

Murray is scheduled to return in Beijing next month, while Britain will learn their 2017 first-round opponents at the Davis Cup draw on Wednesday.

Analysis

Russell Fuller, BBC tennis correspondent:

"Britain's hopes of winning back to back titles for the first time since the 1930s were ended by the better team.

"Three different players won singles points for Argentina, with only the Murray brothers contributing for Britain. That was ultimately the difference."

Five great shots as Murray beats Pella

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71 comments

  • Comment posted by U16598598, at 09:04 19 Sep 2016

    Sadly, in spite of Kyle's stellar performance against Serbia, we still seem to need Andy to score three points to achieve a win. He performed heroically, but Juan Martin played the match of his life. Kyle and Dan did their best but were unable to bring the A game to the court. Argentina were worthy winners, and the players on both teams deserve the greatest respect.

  • Comment posted by U15401290, at 09:38 19 Sep 2016

    Look, you can't win them all. We won last year - and put-up a heroic fight this year, but it wasn't to be. No need for too much introspection here. The better team won - and have been in the final 4 times already. Maybe it's THEIR time now? Well done team GB and better luck next year!

  • Comment posted by U15743313, at 09:47 19 Sep 2016

    Consecutive semi-finals, don't know when that last happened for GB.
    The emergence of Kyle Edmund in the quarters v Serbia.
    Not surprised he's really proud, got a great few years ahead!

    Also, Del Potro can beat anyone on his day, not really a failure in losing to him 1 out of 3 this season for Murray.

  • Comment posted by U16583824, at 10:38 19 Sep 2016

    Del Pot v Murray was the best Davis cup match I can remember - better than the Nishikori and Goffin matches.

    Del Pot has had some agonising defeats and you can't hold a grudge against this deserved victory. Big credit to Murray for sticking in there for all 3 matches - honourable defeat can enhance your reputation.

  • Comment posted by gladtobegrey, at 09:32 19 Sep 2016

    2. billa "This is a worrying sign and needs to be addressed" - easy to say, sitting on the sofa. Your master plan is .... ?

  • Comment posted by the peoples poet, at 10:20 19 Sep 2016

    great effort by the courageous murray brothers and co. can't win them all but the brits GAVE EVERYTHING. well done boys.

  • Comment posted by Robert Jones, at 09:33 19 Sep 2016

    A lot of misery here.

    "This is a worrying sign and needs to be addressed." It IS being addressed. The improvement in the rankings by Edmund, Evans, and others has been truly excellent. Yes, the Murrays are the linchpin of the team. Everyone sees that. But Andy has always been the first to say how important the other players are. Without Edmund, we wouldn't have even been competing this weekend.

  • Comment posted by U10992066, at 12:35 19 Sep 2016

    If ten years ago someone told me we would be Davis Cup winners, I would have laughed. We have come a long way. Losing a closely fought semi-final is no disgrace.

  • Comment posted by TDF, at 11:56 19 Sep 2016

    Delpo was immense but credit to the other Argentinians in the singles. The Brits did well but were outclassed by inspired opponents. Captain did the right thing, he had to bring Evans in.

    To those who dislike Murray will better understand the difference between a great player and a good player. Andy is at No2 in singles and Jamie at No 1 in doubles for a reason, they are great players.

  • Comment posted by U16579518, at 13:00 19 Sep 2016

    @11. Macca2
    Well played Scotland. It's a pity Engerland let you down.

    Yeah, it's a shame that well known Englishman lost the first match against Del Potro or they'd be through. Mug

  • Comment posted by Gary Pocket, at 12:31 19 Sep 2016

    All in all, an honourable and sterling defence. I reckon the stock of the Davis Cup has risen after this...and there are surely some signs that noticeable quality is starting to develop in the UK beyond the Murrays. After what Del Potro has gone through in recent times, I'm happy to see a top tennis player and top geezer with a smile on his face again.

  • Comment posted by BrutalLogiC, at 10:18 19 Sep 2016

    Edmund is the glimmer of hope after Andy Murray retires. It was awful watching Jeremy Bates as Britain's best player in early 90s struggling to make week 2 of Wimbledon, I hope we don't go back to that.

    Jamie Murray might be around and competing at top level for a long time yet, some of those doubles players are late 30s, e.g. Bryan Brothers, Paes

  • Comment posted by TrojanOtter, at 18:52 19 Sep 2016

    As a disappointed Brit & tennis fan, I have taken solace from JMdP's resurgence.
    A warrior & one of the good guys (as witnessed by his Flintoff/Lee moment seeking out Murray afterwards).

  • Comment posted by Super D Boon, at 13:57 19 Sep 2016

    "Smith is less reliant on the combination of Murray and a strong doubles team"

    Funny that. I could have sworn Murray more or less won it single handedly last year. Murray needing to win all 8 of his matches and his big brother helping him out on three others.

    Seems Smith is pretty heavily reliant on Murray I would think?

  • Comment posted by Safinator, at 12:21 19 Sep 2016

    @1 Juan Martin del Potro played the match of his life to beat Murray? How much tennis do you watch? Ludicrous statement. The guy has been completely derailed by injury. Didn't you see some of his performances, particularly, in 2009? How can del Potro play the match of his life without a drive backhand? It's about 10% of the shot it used to be.

  • Comment posted by Jonny, at 11:07 19 Sep 2016

    Edmund and Evans are good players and certainly better back up than we've had previously. Also they'll get better, as long as Evans doesn't take things to heart so much and keeps his recent focus.

    But we rely far too much on the Murrays. One defeat to Del Potro - who can beat anybody - and out we go.

  • Comment posted by Shannon the Cannon, at 10:27 19 Sep 2016

    Proud of the effort by team GB much better then the rubbish shown by so called greats like Wayne Rooney!!

  • Comment posted by U14979412, at 13:33 19 Sep 2016

    I think Del Potro is a great guy and obviously a great player. I hope he goes on to win some Grand Slams (and Murray too, obviously!).

  • Comment posted by U16472175, at 12:49 19 Sep 2016

    Hopefully Dan Evans can take a lot from yesterday's game. He looked good for large portions of the game. Andy and Jamie Murray are obviously fantastic players and that shows in last year's run to victory, but these guys can't have everything hanging on them. It's a team event. When Kyle and Dan step up, Team GB will be a monster that no one will want to face!

  • Comment posted by Nicky, at 10:57 19 Sep 2016

    Well done Team!! It was always going to be very difficult with Andy Murray having played so many exhausting matches this year and only just through the Olympics. So encouraging to see such good performances from up and coming Brits too!!

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