Draper unable to inspire Britain in Davis Cup defeat

Jack Draper could not inspire Great Britain to a Davis Cup comeback win over Argentina as his first match since reaching the US Open semi-finals ended in defeat.

The British number one was given an electrifying ovation in Manchester but the mood flattened as he went on to lose 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 against Francisco Cerundolo.

Draper’s defeat means the host nation, who trail 2-0 in the best-of-three tie, missed the chance to reach the Davis Cup Finals knockout stage at the earliest opportunity.

British team-mate Dan Evans was beaten 6-2 7-5 by Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the first singles match earlier on Friday.

Leon Smith’s squad, who beat Finland on Wednesday, would have progressed with two wins from their opening two ties.

Instead, they are likely to need to beat Canada on Sunday in what could be a nerve-shredding contest.

Britain’s defeat means Group D has been blown wide open and, with Argentina playing Finland on Saturday, any of the four nations could still finish in the top two.

Only two teams from the Manchester group will progress to the ‘Final Eight’ event which takes place between 19-24 November in Malaga.

Back on home turf following his exploits in New York, Draper had been the centre of attention in Manchester – even before playing.

The 22-year-old British number one was rested for the opening tie against Finland, with Evans and rookie Billy Harris justifying Smith’s decision with victories.

But, after being the talk of the town and receiving wonderful receptions when he has been introduced to the crowd before the ties, Draper had the chance to make an important impact on the court against Argentina.

The left-hander had a short turnaround – emotionally and physically – after Friday’s semi-final defeat by world number one Jannik Sinner in New York.

While understandably not at his best, Draper had plenty of chances to avoid a straight-set defeat.

Unable to convert eight of 10 break points was a telling – and unwanted – statistic for the Briton.

Cerundolo, a clay-court specialist who is ranked 31st in the world, produced an impressive level which rarely dropped throughout.

No wonder he described it as “the match of my life” afterwards.

Draper was regularly punished by Cerundolo’s easy power on the forehand wing, while the Argentine produced a magical drop-shot to create a break-back point which he took for 1-1 in the second set.

Still, Draper continued to create chances.

Not taking any of three break points at 1-1, plus another three at 4-4, proved crucial as Cerundolo pounced at 6-5 to earn a rare hard-court victory for the South Americans.

Evans, 34, is the most experienced player in a British squad which has a fresh look following the retirement of Andy Murray and Cameron Norrie’s absence with an arm injury.

On the day where he surpassed Mike Sangster to go second in the British all-time list of Davis Cup ties played, Evans was also left to rue not being able to convert his chances against Etcheverry.

Not able to take any of four break points in a gruelling fourth game proved pivotal.

Sensing a freedom to attack in the fifth game, 34th-ranked Etcheverry quickly broke to take the wind out of Evans’ sails and rattled off the final three games for the opening set.

It has been a tough year for Evans, who has dropped out of the world’s 150, and his confidence dipped dramatically.

Little gets the best out of Evans like the Davis Cup, however, and he showed trademark tenacity to reset in the second set.

Rediscovering his serve helped as the pair traded holds, but the frustration and fragility reappeared as he crucially lost serve in the 11th game.

More resistance came as Evans fought off five match points – and created three break points – before a relieved Etcheverry eventually served out victory.