MATCH REPORT | 2024 Davis Cup Finals: Great Britain's hopes expunged as Dan Evans loses crucial opener

Great Britain will most likely have to play a qualifier next year to be involved in the Davis Cup Finals in a similar vein to Novak Djokovic's Serbia currently after they lost a crucial opener against Canada.

Going into today's win or bust tie, it really was just that as Dan Evans took on Denis Shapovalov. Knowing that only a 3-0 win would do against Canada, this was due to a loss to Argentina on Friday. Coupled with other results not going their way, it meant the hosts who had a sizeable crowd in situ at the AO Arena in Manchester had an unenviable task.

But it was wiped out immediately with Evans being outplayed by Shapovalov losing 6-0, 7-5 in just over an hour. The 15,700 strong crowd bigger than Wimbledon's Centre Court and a new record in this country did their best to support Evans.

But in the end, he wasn't able to force a deciding set and leaves Britain's hopes as a bit of a damp squibb as the top tie between Jack Draper and Felix Auger-Aliassime in reality doesn't mean a great deal now.

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The LTA investing vast sums of money into hosting these events has fallen on deaf ears when it comes to delivering. It is the second time in three years they have gone out in the group stage and shows that despite Draper showing positive signs following Andy Murray's retirement that the country still needs to rebuild.

Evans and also Cameron Norrie are heading towards the twilight of their career and Billy Harris albeit has impressed is no longer a prospect and is now 29. So whilst Jacob Fearnley and Henry Searle have impressed, there is still a lot of building to do towards Great Britain emulating Canada.

Canada bringing a strong squad to the UK won it two years ago and Jannik Sinner-led Italy are currently defending champions showing what could happen but GB are a long way off such a feat.

José Morgado

@josemorgado

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Denis Shapovalov beats Dan Evans 6-0, 7-5 and 2022 champs Canada will return to Malaga in November for the QFs. Great Britain OUT

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