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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jonathan Spencer

Great Britain suffer premature Davis Cup exit after disappointing loss to Netherlands

Great Britain's hopes of winning the Davis Cup have been dashed after defeat to the Netherlands in Glasgow on Friday.

Defeat by the USA on Wednesday left Great Britain needing to overcome the Dutch and probably Kazakhstan as well on Sunday, but that contest is now a dead rubber.

GB have suffered an early exit after Andy Murray and Joe Salisbury were once again beaten in a dramatic deciding doubles rubber on Friday night. It means both the Dutch and the Americans are through to the last-eight shootout in Malaga in November after winning both their first two matches.

GB had made the best start possible against the Netherlands, with Dan Evans overcoming Tallon Griekspoor 6-4 6-4.

But British No 1 Cameron Norrie then produced a disappointing display, losing 6-4 6-2 to Botic Van De Zandschulp, before Murray and Salisbury were beaten 7-6(0) 6-7(6) 6-3 by Wesley Koolhof and Matwe Middelkoop at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.

Murray and his partner Salisbury made a great start, breaking the Middelkoop serve in the opening game. However, they couldn't hold onto that advantage and the Dutch duo were inspired during the tie-break.

The second tie-break threw up plenty of drama, with Britain saving a match point and then capitalising on their first set point thanks to a very helpful net cord.

The Netherlands have booked their place in the last-eight of the Davis Cup (Getty Images for LTA)

There were jubilant scenes inside the Emirates Arena, but Murray and Salisbury couldn't keep their momentum going.

After missing chances at 3-3, Salisbury dropped his serve in the next game before Koolhof kept his composure to serve out for victory, and book the Netherlands' spot in the next round of the Davis Cup.

England will take on Kazakhstan now on Sunday, but without anything riding on it.

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