So from a downcast Friday of two singles losses, through a riotous Saturday that saw the Great Britain pull back a rubber in the doubles, and on into a thrilling fourth rubber during which Andy Murray battled with fatigue and injury to level the tie, 2-2, it all came down a fifth and deciding match.
But not until 10 minutes before the final combatants came to court would their identities be known: Dan Evans and Leonardo Mayer. They had never met before—and their nation’s hopes now rested entirely on this first encounter.
So what was at stake in this concluding chapter of the Davis Cup semi-final between the British title-holders and Argentine challengers?
Great Britain was looking for its first win over Argentina since 1928, was looking to reach its 21st final, its seventh consecutive tie victory, but most importantly of all, to defend the title won to such plaudits last year—and only five nations have managed to do that since the World Group was set up in 1981.
For Argentina, it was a chance for another stab at the title that had thus far, frustratingly for a nation of such rich tennis talent over the years, eluded them in four previous finals.
This was the South American nation’s 150th tie, in its 11th World Group semi-final since 2002.
On Friday, British captain Leon Smith had made a tough call between the two men who had both arrived in Glasgow on career-high rankings after shining runs at the US Open.
Kyle Edmund was beginning to make waves with his power game, and won both singles ties in the quarter-final against Serbia in the Cup quarter-finals. In New York, he reached the fourth round of a Major for the first time after beating No13 Richard Gasquet and No20 John Isner, which took him to No55.
But he had been cut down to size in his first match, losing to Guido Pella, and so the other Briton, Dan Evans, ranked 53, was called up. He had been playing some of the best tennis of his career this summer, even holding match point against No3 seed Stan Wawrinka before finally losing in the third round in New York.
In addition to the left-handed Pella, however, Argentine captain Daniel Orsanic also had other options. As well as Federico Delbonis, ranked 41, he had the experienced Leonardo Mayer, a former No21 a year ago before injury knocked him to his present 113. And Mayer had won all his rubbers for Argentina since losing to Tomas Berdych in 2013.
Like Evans he boasted a one-handed backhand, great touch at the net, and variety off the ground. He had joined with del Potro in doubles the day before—a step too far for del Potro—but a chance for Mayer to show his shot-making ability.
In the first set, though, it was Evans who grabbed the early lead by breaking in the third game, and he held that lead through a lively first set, 6-4. The crowd was on its feet and cheering almost every point, and Mayer was leaking errors, 15 to Evans’ five.
But in the second set, the Mayer serving came alive—he won 20-24 first serves—and he cut out most of his errors. Evans began soundly, but was broken in the fourth game. Mayer went on to hold with his seventh ace, and though Evans had a glimmer of a hope at 0-30 as Mayer served for the set, he could not live with the big and varied hitting of the Argentine. Mayer levelled, 6-3.
The third set began inauspiciously for the home team, though now a tired and sore Murray was back courtside, clenching his fist in support. But Mayer broke in the first game, and looked pumped and confident. Evans battled hard, but even Mayer’s defence was working, and the Briton acquiesced again in the fifth game. Mayer held to love for 5-1, and served out the second set to 15, 6-2.
The clock was now close to two hours, but the same Mayer who had been stretching and grimacing over his tight quadriceps at practice around six hours before looked as fresh and vital as ever. Perhaps it was the result of missing so much of this season, seeing his ranking plummet outside the top 100, or perhaps recalling the heroic efforts of team-mate del Potro in that record-breaking first rubber. But he was not about to loosen his grip on this.
Evans, to his credit, fought and fought in a 15-minute opening game of the fourth, saved three break points to ever-increasing roars of encouragement from the fans. These two one-handers entered a long backhand cross-court exchange, and Evans came out on top. But Mayer’s serving continued to make life easier for the Argentine, and at the next time of asking, he got the break 3-2.
Evans held on to the set’s end, but could not disrupt Mayer’s serve: The Argentine took the set, match and tie in the most impressive style, to love with a winning volley.
This was, of course, heartbreaking for Evans: He had also been unable to get his name on the winners’ side of the equation on this very court in last year’s semi-final against Australia. But back then, Murray won all three rubbers he played: This time, despite three truly gritty performances, he could gain only two points.
But such is the ying-and-yang of Davis Cup that as Great Britain suffered, so Argentina celebrated. Mayer, indeed, was reduced to tears:
“I am very emotional. I haven’s been able to play because of injury so I am delighted to be back on form. I do not know what it is about the Davis Cup, but it brings out the best in me.”
Credit, too, to del Potro, who has worked so hard to get back on equal terms with the best players in the world after three wrist surgeries. In the end, perhaps, it was his victory over Murray that will abide in the memory as one of the performances of the year.
Captain Orsanic praised his entire team, and concluded: “I believe it will be an honour to play another final, but today we will celebrate a semi-final victory.”
They take on Croatia away from home come the end of November, and have beaten that nation in all three previous meetings—all at the World Group quarter-final stage.
There will be many who hope that Argentina, one of the Davis Cup’s oldest members, can beat Croatia once more, and claim their first title after 93 years of trying.