Cameron Norrie’s brave effort was not enough to prevent Great Britain’s defeat against Spain in the Davis Cup.
Norrie faced a must-win rubber against Albert Ramos-Vinolas in Marbella, with Great Britain trailing 2-1 in the best-of-five tie, but was beaten 7-6 2-6 7-6 6-2.
A play-off in September is the nest test for Great Britain, which they must win to remain in the World Group.
Great Britain were without Andy Murray and, although Australian Open semi-finalist Kyle Edmund was eligible to play on Sunday, he also missed out due to injury.
That left Norrie, the world number 114 and Davis Cup debutant, facing an uphill battle against Spain's far more experienced Ramos-Vinolas who is the ATP's number 21.
Norrie had previously kept the tie alive on Friday with a brilliant comeback win against Roberto Bautista-Agut, which was his first professional match on a clay court.
He lost the first four games against Ramos-Vinolas on Sunday but roared back to 4-4, then broke for 5-5, only to lose a tie-break for the first set.
Yet he brilliantly took the second set, and was only denied the third set by another tie-break which had the Spanish fans relieved when Ramos-Vinolas edged ahead.
Ramos-Vinolas broke Norrie at the first attempt in the fourth set, carrying him through to the victory.
The deciding rubber, no longer required, was due to be played between Liam Broady and Roberto Bautista-Agut.
Great Britain captain Leon Smith said: "I can't speak highly enough of what Cam's done all weekend and yet again today.
"People might have thought it was a one-off what he produced on Friday, but he did it again today against another really high quality player."
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