Dan Evans has revealed that he made a plea for Jack Draper to step up and lead the men’s Davis Cup team before Andy Murray retired. Draper became the British No. 1 just weeks before Murray ended his career at the Olympics this summer. He recently entered the top 20 thanks to his US Open semi-final run.

Britain’s Davis Cup hopes lay with Jack Draper after defeat for Dan Evans - Evans was beaten 6-2 7-5 in the opening rubber at the AO Arena.

Great Britain must fight back to reach the Davis Cup last eight at the earliest opportunity after Dan Evans loses the opening match against Argentina.

Dan Evans gets GB off to winning start in Davis Cup with Jack Draper rested - Evans defeated the world number 703 Eero Vasa 7-6 (3) 6-2 at the AO Arena.

Team GB were beaten 2-0 by Argentina in their second Davis Cup group tie and failed to reach the knockout stages at the first time of asking.

Dan Evans wasted no time impressing on Jack Draper the responsibility he now carries as the new figurehead of British tennis. The US Open semi-finalist was the star attraction at Manchester’s AO Arena on Wednesday even though he was rested for Britain’s opening 2-1 Davis Cup victory against Finland.

Jack Draper may have lost his Davis Cup match against Argentine Francisco Cerundolo but he did not lose any of his candour afterwards, saying: “It’s going to be very hard for players of my age to achieve longevity.