Argentina will play in their fifth Davis Cup final after Leonardo Mayer clinched the decisive match, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, against Great Britain’s Dan Evans.
After two-and-a-half days of roller coaster entertainment in the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, the proceedings were levelled at 2-2 following a valiant comeback from the Murray brothers in the doubles and singles.
The final match was a interesting match up. On the Argentine side was Mayer, a player who rose to 21st in the world last year before plummeting down the rankings due to a lacklustre 2016 caused by injury problems. On the other was Evans, a player who is at a career high of 53 in the world and recently had a match point against eventual champion Stan Wawrinka in the US Open.
Mayer had his work cut out to begin with after what was a dream start for the highly animated British crowd in Glasgow. Evans pushed his opponent around the court to elevate himself to a breakpoint in the fourth game. The breakthrough then occurred when a long rally concluded with a Mayer forehand drifting out, awarding the British team the break for 3-1. The 26-year-old appeared determined as he continued battling past Mayer, securing the opening set with a duo of first serves that was unreturned by his opponent.
After a dismal start consisting of 17 unforced errors, Mayer finally gave the Argentine contingent something to cheer about as Evans began to falter. A clear winner from the Argentine secure his first break of the match as he raced to a 4-1 lead, silencing the home crowd. The one-sided start of the match was no more as Mayer, who hasn’t lost a Davis Cup match since 2013, levelled at a set apiece when a backhand slice from the Brit drifted out.
Getting tense in Glasgow! #DavisCup https://t.co/Y0zipgwiEj
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) 18 September 2016
Mayer’s resurgence continued into the third set as he hit a blistering return to break at the start. Producing some heaving hitting and outsmarting his high ranked rival, the Argentine was able to tame the threat posed by Evans. The winning shots displayed by the Brit at the start of the match turned into ones that he couldn’t land in the court. Three consecutive errors gifted Mayer the double break as he close in on the two sets lead. As Evans’ inconsistent play continued to exacerbate the mood of the crowd, Mayer clinched the lead thanks to another error from his opponent.
The body language of the Brit on the court told everything. Throwing his racket after dropping the third set, the match was on course to be Argentina’s for the taking. The start of the fourth set saw a marathon 15-minute game. A trio of break point chances came and went for Mayer as Evans battled to hold serve, sending the crowd at the Emirates Arena into hysteria.
Dan Evans is alive and fighting 👊👊👊 https://t.co/LsZwkWLJHY
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) 18 September 2016
There was better fortune for Mayer a couple games later as yet another Evans backhand error moved him to just three games away from the win at 3-2. Moving closer to taking his country to their fifth Davis Cup final, the Argentine mission was completed with a winning Mayer volley at the net.
“After such a tough year, it was an amazing match for me.” Mayer said during his press conference. “I was delighted when I got the call to be part of the team. “
The decision to play Mayer instead of del Potro confused some inside the Emirates area, however, there was a reason for the decision. Argentine captain Daniel Orsanic revealed that he knew on Friday that the former US Open champion wouldn’t be able to play on Sunday.
“A lot has happened over this weekend beginning with an incredible match between Del Potro and Murray. It meant that Juan gave more than he had in that match, which was a very high cost to us as well as him.” Orsanic said.
“Originally I planned for him (del Potro) to play the fifth rubber, but after Friday’s match we couldn’t think of that. We instead played him in the doubles to see if his quality could have helped to close the tie (on Saturday).” He later added.
Awaiting Argentina in the final will be Croatia, who defeated France in their semi-final.
