2003 Sep 22 - Davis Cup: Great Britain lose to Morocco

Greg Rusedski gave 100% in the deciding match of the "must win" Davis Cup play-off, but was unable to overcome the fighting spirit of the Moroccan Hicham Arazi, eventually losing in four sets 5-7 7-5 7-6(7) 7-6(5).

Having been 2 sets to 1 down from the previous day, it was essential for Greg to take the match to the full five sets. He had his chances, going up a break in the forth set only for Hicham to swiftly break back. A tie-break followed, but the luck on the day was with Morocco as the net cord cost Greg a mini-break which Hicham then took full advantage of.

After the match Greg said:

"I had some chances and just needed a little bit of luck. It did just not happen for me. There were one or two net-cord balls, but that is the way tennis goes.

"I am a little tired. It was a long weekend and unfortunately we did not get the result. We did our best, that's all we can do."

So where does this leave British tennis? Well, we have been knocked-out of the Davis Cup elite 16 World Group and will not have the opportunity to re-enter the group until 2005. So until then we will be competing in the Euro Africa Zone One.

Click here for the official Davis Cup tie details.