Britain did not make it to the final eight of the Davis Cup Finals after losing to Canada 2-1 in their last group-stage match on Sunday. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic helped Serbia secure a spot in next year’s qualifiers.
Britain needed to win 3-0 against Canada in Manchester to advance, but Dan Evans lost 6-0, 7-5 to Denis Shapovalov, ending Britain’s chances in the first match. The match took place in front of 15,700 fans at the AO Arena, the largest crowd for a Davis Cup tie in Britain, according to the organizers.
Felix Auger-Aliassime then beat Jack Draper 7-6 (8), 7-5, securing Canada’s victory and first place in Group D. Britain won the final doubles match.
Evans suggested this might be his last Davis Cup appearance.
“I’ve probably had my fair share now. It could be and probably will be (the end),” he said. “I need to have a think. If I don’t feel capable of playing, I won’t come back.”
Canada and Argentina advanced from Group D, while Finland was eliminated.
Four groups have been competing in four cities to qualify for the eight-team Finals in Malaga, Spain, in November. The top two teams from each four-team group move forward.
In Valencia, Spain defeated Australia 2-1 to win Group B, with both teams already qualified. France and the Czech Republic were eliminated.
In Bologna, the Netherlands secured their place in the Finals by winning the final doubles match despite a 2-1 loss to Italy in Group A. The Dutch needed just one win to advance but had lost the first two matches.
The crucial win came when Wesley Koolhof and Botic van de Zandschulp beat Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6 (6), 7-5.
Brazil would have moved forward if the Netherlands had lost 3-0 to Italy, the group winner. Belgium had already been eliminated.
