Match one: Etcheverry beats Evans to give Argentina the lead

Argentina have taken an early advantage in this decisive second Davis Cup tie after world No.34 Tomas Martin Etcheverry beat Britain’s Dan Evans 6-2, 7-5.

In his 27^th Davis Cup tie for Great Britain (second most of all-time) the 34-year-old was defeated in two hours and seven minutes but will return later for what could be a crucial doubles rubber with Neal Skupski.

It was a bright start from Evans, who made an early statement on an incredible rally at 1-1, in which he defended three smashes to eventually win the point.

However, the Brit saw four break points come and go in a punishing 14-minute game at 2-1, which would prove costly.

Confidence boosted from a hard-earned hold, the Argentinian flipped momentum in his favour and took the first break for himself in the following game thanks to a passing forehand winner rifled past the approaching Evans.

Etcheverry caught fire in the final games of the set and steamrolled passed the Brit. He completed the double break before serving out the set to love.

The British No.6 stopped the Argentinian’s run of games with a much-needed hold at the start of the second set and gradually worked his way back into the contest.

Etcheverry too continued to go through the gears and raised his first serve percentage by 16% in the second set to an impressive 82%, giving Evans little to work with.

The Argentine finally got his break at 5-5 but Evans refused to give in. He produced two backhand winners, followed by a brilliant forehand lob as he saved a total of five match points but on the sixth chance Etcheverry finally got over the line.

Match two: Cerundolo seals the tie for Argentina

Francisco Cerundolo guaranteed victory for Argentina with a 7-6(4), 7-5 win over British No.1 Jack Draper – making it two from two for the South Americans.

The Argentinian admitted that he played one of ‘the best matches of his life’ to come through in straight sets against the world No.20.

“It was a tough one,” Draper said. “I felt like I played quite well actually but the other guy could do no wrong. A lot of times you’re playing someone at a high level and you think you’ll get your chances and their level will drop significantly, but his didn’t so fair play to him, he beat me fair and square.”

“I felt pretty good – being here with the team there’s a lot of energy. It was a quick turnaround (from the US Open) and I think a lot of players in position wouldn’t have come this week but I love playing for my country and I want to be here for the team. I didn’t win today and that hurts a lot.”

In his first appearance since his US Open semi-final last week, it took Draper a few games to get going.

Similar to his compatriot Dan Evans in the first rubber, Draper failed to convert on early break point chances in the second game before Cerundolo broke him to love on the following game.

The Argentine looked a different player to the one that lost to Denis Shapovalov on the opening day in Manchester – but serving for the set he showed the first signs of nerves. A first double fault gave Draper another three break points as Cerundolo then nudged a forehand wide to level the scores at 5-5.

Things seemed to be shifting in favour of the British No.1, but it was the Argentinian who had the edge in the tie-break. Trailing 4-3, a crowd disturbance on Draper’s second serve seemed to unsettle him in the point and Cerundolo took advantage – reeling off the final three points in a row.

It was the perfect response from Draper with a break in the opening game of the second set, only for the former Rothesay International Eastbourne champion to fire straight back.

Missed opportunities would eventually come back to bite the 22-year-old. He only converted on two of 10 break points, including three he missed at 4-4 late in the second set.

Cerundolo clawed back from 0-30 again on his following service game, before launching an attack of his own against the Brit. The Argentinian No.2 hit three forehand consecutive forehand winners to break Draper on the final game to love – taking his total for the match to an impressive 39.

Match three: Evans & Skupski resuce a point for GB

Evans and Neal Skupski rescued what could be a crucial point for the Brits in the final rubber – defeating Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez 6-3, 7-5 in an hour and 24 minutes.

“We knew coming into the doubles it was going to be a big rubber to win,” Skupski said. “Obviously, the tie was over but every match counts we managed to get through it. The energy today was incredible with the fans so hopefully more of the same on Sunday.”

“We played great as Neal said it was a big rubber and we know we need every rubber from here on in to get through,” added Evans. “We weren’t good enough in the singles but we came out in the doubles – well done to Argentina but we’re still alive.”

Evans and Skupski were unlucky to be on the wrong side of a narrow defeat on Wednesday against Finland and came out with a point to prove in a much-needed result for Great Britain.

Playing against a partnership who regularly compete together on tour, the Brits got out to a healthy lead in the opening set – breaking at 3-2 off a big return winner from Skupski before holding to love. The Brits lost just two points on serve in 29 minutes to clinch a dominant opening set.

The Brits conjured up more magic at the start of the second to send the crowd into frenzy. They missed on break point chances at 1-1, but the confidence pouring out of them as they made impressive winner after winner.

They remained on serve until 5-5 on the Gonzalez serve. Evans opened the game with two unreturnable backhands kissing the outside of the tramline, before Skupski completed the break with a volley winer of his own.

The more they asked for noise, the more the British fans gave, creating an unsettling atmosphere for the Argentinian’s – and it worked. Skupski kept his nerve to hold on the final game of the match, sealing a victory that gives Great Britain more of a chance at qualification if they win their tie against Canada on Sunday.