Jack Draper’s return to the court after his impressive US Open semi-final run ended in disappointment as Great Britain suffered a defeat against Argentina in the Davis Cup.
Despite an electrifying reception from the Manchester crowd, Draper was unable to deliver the crucial win, falling 7-6 (7-4), 7-5 to Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo.
The loss was a significant setback for the British team, which now trails 2-0 in the best-of-three tie, effectively ruling them out of advancing to the Davis Cup Finals knockout stage at the earliest opportunity.
Draper’s defeat meant that Great Britain missed a golden chance to secure their spot in the next round with an early win. The British number one had been expected to lead his team to a comeback, but his performance fell short of expectations.
Earlier on Friday, British team-mate Dan Evans also faced defeat, losing 6-2, 7-5 to Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the first singles match of the day.
Evans’ loss compounded the challenges for Great Britain, putting them in a difficult position as they attempt to navigate their way through the group stage.
Leon Smith’s squad, which had secured a victory against Finland on Wednesday, now finds themselves in a precarious situation. To advance, they will need to secure a win against Canada in their final group match on Sunday.
The defeat against Argentina has opened up Group D, making it a fiercely competitive battle for the top two spots. With Argentina scheduled to play Finland on Saturday, the standings could shift dramatically.
Any of the four nations in Group D—Argentina, Great Britain, Finland, and Canada—still have a chance to finish in the top two and progress to the ‘Final Eight’ event. This crucial stage will be held from November 19-24 in Malaga, Spain.
Great Britain’s loss means that their path to the Davis Cup Finals is now fraught with uncertainty. The need to win against Canada has become a do-or-die situation for the British team.
The outcome of Saturday’s match between Argentina and Finland will further influence the group dynamics, leaving Great Britain with a tightrope to walk as they seek to salvage their Davis Cup campaign.
