Charlie Smith
GREAT Britain’s tennis team has been dumped out of the Davis Cup after defeat to Spain in the semi finals in Madrid.
Rafael Nadal and Feliciano Lopez beat Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (10-8) to set up a final against Canada.
Today’s victory at the Spanish capital’s Caja Magica arena marks a 2-1 win for Spain after the teams were all-square.
The score had been 1-1 after Kyle Edmund overturned Lopez and Nadal had sealed a win over Dan Evans.
“It was a very special moment for us, a very unique opportunity,” said Lopez, “We have a great opportunity to win this tournament here at home.”
The Great Britain side, who were left without Andy Murray due to injury, were aiming to reach their first final in the competition since the 2015 edition, which they won.
Meanwhile, a victory over Canada in today’s final would see the Spaniards crowned champions for the first time since 2011.
Nadal will be crucial in the title match, just as he was in Spain’s semi final, played out in front of 12,500 people.
After Murray and Skupski failed to take any of their four match points, the Spaniards took their second match point.
