Davis Cup: Great Britain miss out on final after losing decisive doubles to Spain

Great Britain missed out on a place in the Davis Cup final after Spain’s Rafael Nadal and Feliciano Lopez edged out Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski in a heartbreaking doubles defeat.

The British pair lost 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (10-8) in the deciding rubber.

The teams had been level at 1-1 after the singles, when Nadal beat Dan Evans, and Kyle Edmund won against Lopez.

The Spanish pair then sparked joyous scenes in Madrid by setting up a final against Canada on Sunday.

“It was a very special moment for us, a very unique opportunity,” said the 38-year-old Lopez, who was close to tears at the end. “We have a great opportunity to win this tournament here at home.”

Britain, who were bidding to reach the final for the first time since their 2015 triumph, will take some consolation from knowing they are guaranteed a place in next year’s 18-nation finals by virtue of reaching the last four.

Spain could win the Davis Cup for the first time since 2011 if they manage to overcome Canada in what is bound to be another raucous atmosphere in the 12,500-capacity indoor Caja Magica arena (15:00 GMT).

Canada beat Russia in Saturday’s opening semi-final to reach the showpiece tie for the first time in their history.

With an unfit Andy Murray again left out by British captain Leon Smith, Edmund delivered for the third day running with another straight-sets win before Evans fell to world number one Nadal.

That left Britain’s fate in the hands of Jamie Murray and Davis Cup debutant Skupski – a partnership that had won both of the deciding rubbers they had needed to play earlier in the week.

The pair, who are regular partners on the ATP Tour, more than matched the two Spanish left-handers throughout a tight decider, which ended in the cruellest of fashions.

Murray and Skupski were unable to take any of four set points before the Spaniards converted their second match point as the Caja Magica erupted in celebration.

Nadal immediately jumped on top of Lopez, who had been the weaker of the two players but ultimately delivered the killer blow with a punchy serve.

After the team-mates composed themselves to embrace Murray and Skupski, Nadal showed his class by marching over to the British bench to shake every hand before returning to the court and soaking up the acclaim of an adoring crowd.

Murray and Skupski, meanwhile, sat crestfallen in their seats as they wondered how they had not managed to take the second set.

“It’s really, really special,” said Nadal. “Thank you to Feli (Lopez) and to the crowd who were amazing as well.”

Nadal Spain’s inspiration in the tie-break

With Nadal receiving little help from Lopez’s returning game, the British pair only dropped five points on serve in an evenly-matched second set.

But they could not transfer that dominance into the receiving games, apart from missed break points at 2-2 and 6-6, as the Spaniards often produced accurate serves at crucial points to alleviate danger.

The tension inside the arena was illustrated perfectly by the demeanour of Andy Murray, who was fidgeting nervously and often looked barely able to watch his older brother.

A wild smash by Lopez suddenly brought up a set point for the Britons, only for the inspired Nadal to land an accurate forehand winner down the line.

The second set point – at 6-4 in the tie-break – went begging when Lopez’s serve was put into the net by Murray, leaving Skupski to try and serve it out.

Nadal somehow reached a short ball with a lob which had the Brits scrambling, to the incredulity of everyone inside the Caja Magica, allowing the world number one to then put a smash between them.

Nadal’s joy was shown by his high leap off the court, with the flag-waving Spanish fans leaping off their seats too.

Britain earned another set point, this time on Nadal’s serve, when Murray stunned a volley at the net, Nadal saving his country again with another perfectly placed crosscourt winner.

Nadal then landed a first serve down the middle which Murray hit into the net to give Spain their first match point at 8-7, only for the 19-time Grand Slam champion to steer a backhand well wide.

Murray put a volley long for 9-8 and a second match point on Lopez’s serve, leaving the home supporters bouncing and chanting ‘Ole, ole, ole!’, before Lopez sealed a memorable victory.

“I thought Jamie and I played a good match. Their guys served really well. We did have our chances, but they came up with big shots at the right time,” Skupski said. – bbc.com