Davis Cup Great Britain v Argentina semi-final preview: Andy Murray and Co await Juan Del Potro’s await return on hottest streak for 80 years
Great Britain take on Argentina in the Davis Cup semi-final this weekend with the momentum of their hottest winning streak for 80 years behind them.
The reigning champions can book a second consecutive final in the competition and secure a seventh win on the bounce by seeing off Juan Martin Del Potro and the South Americans in Glasgow this weekend.
Not since 1937 have Great Britain featured in back-to-back finals, and that was when rules permitted them to only play in the final as defending champions.
A loss to the USA in 1937 brought to an end a run of 10 successive wins for a legendary side featuring Fred Perry and Bunny Austin, a run of form that has not been in danger of being matched until Leon Smith's side ended generations of disappointment by triumphing last year.
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Since Smith began captaining the side in 2010, Great Britain have won an impressive 14 out of 17 Davis Cup matches.
Prior to his arrival it had taken Great Britain 14 years and 19 ties to record that number of wins in the competition.
Yet Argentina represent a serious threat to making a dent in that record. Great Britain are favourites but the South Americans have won three out of four encounters between the sides. Although they've never won the tournament, Argentina have made the semi-finals 11 times in the past 15 years.
Neutral fans will be hoping for a reprisal of the humdinger Olympic final clash between Andy Murray and Del Potro earlier this year. The former world No4 returned to the competition after a four year absence in the quarter finals following a lengthy battle with injuries.
Where is it?
This tie will take place at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, a venue that provided raucous support for Great Britain's victories over Australia and the United States on the path to glory.
Where can I watch it and when is it?
The game is being broadcast live on BBC Two from 1pm on Friday afternoon. Should the tie stretch to the full five matches, the deciding contests will be be broadcast from 12:45pm on BBC One.
Who is playing for Great Britain?
Leon Smith's full squad is made up of brothers Andy and Jamie Murray, Kyle Edmund, Dan Evans and Dominic Inglot.
When is the final?
- Final: 25 – 27 November
Who could Great Britain's opponents be?
Waiting on the other side of the draw are fifth seeds France and Croatia. Great Britain have a winning record against both, with 12 wins in 21 previous meetings with the French and two wins out of two ties against Croatia.
Should France win, Great Britain will be required to play the final away from home — as they successfully did in Belgium last year — while a final against Croatia would be held in the UK.
Murray memorably came back against Giles Simon at Queen's Club last year, overturning a set and a break deficit to put Great Britain into their first semi-final in 34 years. Yet France may struggle to overcome US Open winner Marin Cilic and rising star Borna Coric with both Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga withdrawing through injury.