Argentina overcome Del Potro absence as Mayer beats Dan Evans to end Britain's Davis Cup dream

The host nation were given fresh hope of reaching back-to-back finals when former US Open champion Del Potro was rested for Sunday's final rubber at the Emirates Arena having played for over eight hours over the first two days. His withdrawal prompted a winner-takes-all singles match between Dan Evans and Leonardo Mayer.

Despite going into the match as a marginal favourite due to his world ranking of 53 being 61 spots above 114th-ranked Mayer, Evans - who came within one point of beating Stanislas Wawrinka in the US Open last 32 earlier this month - could not kick on from winning the first set 6-4 as the Argentine dominated to take the remaining three sets 6-3 6-2 6-4. The win secured his country a meeting with Croatia in November's final.

It was a huge anti-climax for the British audience in Glasgow after Scotland's world number two Andy Murray had restored parity in the contest at 2-2 courtesy of a 6-3 6-2 6-3 singles win over Guido Pella, despite battling a thigh injury and tiredness.

"Leo has played very good Davis Cup matches before. He has that feeling in his body and even though he is out of the top 100 that is not his level," said Argentina captain Daniel Orsanic.

"He was a little nervous in the first set but when he found his rhythm he was on top all of the time."

There was a sense of disbelief when Del Potro did not play the deciding rubber having being stretched to the longest match of his career in prevailing over five hours against Andy Murray in Friday's opening rubber.

Del Potro, recovering his gait having been dogged by career-threatening wrist problems that has seen him drop to 64 in the world, had told media in Argentina after he and Mayer suffered doubles defeat to Andy and Jamie Murray in four sets on Saturday evening that he "wants to play..many years, not one more match".

As it was, there was no need for any worry as Mayer produced some assured tennis to end Britain's reign as champions of the sport's World Cup. There will be no repeat of the joyous celebrations witnessed when GB downed Belgium in Ghent 10 months ago, but much of that was down to Mayer.

The 29-year-old Mayer has fallen on hard times having been as high as 21 in the world in June 2015, mainly due to a series of injuries, but his class and composure came to the fore under intense pressure prompting wild scenes of celebration amid the animated band of travelling fans when he clinched the final service game to love.

It could not be disputed with Mayer winning 83 per cent of first serves to complete the victory despite some feverish British support.

"We had to keep it to ourselves until the last moment so Great Britain were (left guessing) a little bit but we knew from last night that Mayer would play," said Orsanic.

"I believe it will be an honour to play another final, but today we will celebrate a semi-final victory."

Argentina have yet to win the tournament despite appearing in finals in 1981, 2006, 2008 and 2011.

The tears flowed from Mayer as Evans bounced his racket off the deck at the end while the British fans slowly departed from Emirates Arena with the groans palpable at coming up agonisingly short in the last four.

But the home diehards will also realise amid the disappointment that Argentina were merited winners with and without Del Potro.