Evans defeat confirms GB relegation

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With Andy Murray having drawn the hosts level at 2-2 with victory over Jerzy Janowicz, the result of the tie came down to the final rubber.

But Evans, playing in his first Davis Cup tie, was no match for his Polish opponent and a 6-2 6-1 7-5 defeat sealed a fourth consecutive defeat for Britain, who will now play in the third tier of the competition for the first time since 1996, and only the second time ever.

Evans is ranked nearly 400 places higher than Przysiezny at 302 in the world but the Pole had climbed into the top 200 before knee injuries forced him out of the game for a lengthy spell two years ago and has a good Davis Cup record.

Przysiezny looked rock solid on serve and produced some stunning touch volleys as he broke Evans to love in the fourth game.

The 19-year-old could not get anywhere near Przysiezny's serve and a one-sided first set was settled with another break for the Pole.

The crowd were trying to lift Evans but there was a marked difference in class between the two players and it was no surprise when Przysiezny broke twice to take a 5-1 lead in the second set. And four points later the Pole wrapped up the set, with the match and Group I safety surely set to follow.

Evans broke twice in the final set but his resurgence was well and truly ended in the 11th game as Przysiezny upped the tempo on his returns and broke to love to leave himself serving for victory - and he completed the task with ease.