Great Britain were knocked out of the Davis Cup after Dan Evans was crushed 6-0, 7-5 by Denis Shapovalov in their first match of the final group stage against Canada.
The Briton needed to win all three of his matches on Sunday to progress to the November tournament, but Evans lost in straight sets to world number 100 Shapovalov.
The first set was largely a formality as the Canadian did not drop a game, but Evans found his composure in the second set, forcing his opponent to fend off several break points.
But the set remained on serve until the final game, when Evans’ backhand was mishit and hit the net, ending Britain’s hopes for the year.
Jack Draper faced Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second match. The last time Draper and Auger-Aliassime met was in the round of 16 of the Cincinnati Open, which ended in controversy. The Briton won the match despite the ball appearing to touch the ground before going over the net on match point.
But this time, Auger-Aliassime won both sets in a close contest, with the final score being 7-6 (10-8), 7-5.
The final game of the day will see debutant Henry Paton team up with Neil Skupski to take on Gabriel Diallo and Alexis Gallarno.
“I’ve thought about it long and hard. I think I need to think about it a bit more,” Evans told BBC Sport of the possibility that this could be his last Davis Cup.
“I love competing for my country. I love every minute of it, but sometimes you have to know when to walk away.
“It may be a difficult decision, but sometimes it’s good to give someone else a chance and watch from afar.”
Canada now advance to the next stage alongside England’s Argentina, whose only win for Leon Smith’s side came against Finland.
