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Despite their advantage, the Brits still had some work to do on Sunday when Harriet Dart went down to Paula Badosa 7-6 (8-6), 6-7 (7-5), 1-6.
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Dart belied her world ranking of No.98 to push Badosa all the way, at one stage only two points from winning the match in a thrilling second set tie-breaker.
But the No.13 steeled herself when it mattered most and ran away with the third set to get Spain back in the tie.
With Nadal waiting in the wings for a potential deciding fifth rubber, much hinged on what Ramos-Vinolas, a replacement for Pablo Carreno Busta, could do against Evans.
After a sluggish first set, the Spaniard roared back to life in the second and Evans, a disappointing first-up loser to Australia’s Jason Kubler, looked on edge entering the decider.
Dan Evans celebrates with his teammates after defeating Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas in their Group D match in Sydney on Sunday night.Credit:AP
However, the world No.27 secured a vital break in the seventh game and ultimately served out the contest for a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 win, rendering the mixed doubles a dead rubber.
“I don’t feel my strongest, but I’ve got a great team behind me,” Evans said.
“It helps that it’s not a regular tournament; it’s tough to throw the towel in when you’ve got all that lot behind you.”
Petra Kvitova earlier beat Laura Siegemund 6-4, 6-2 for her second straight victory in the tournament as the Czechs secured a 3-0 lead in their tie against Germany.
Oscar Otte earned Germany their first win when he defeated Dalibor Svrcina before Siegemund and Alexander Zverev teamed up for a consolation win over Marie Bouzkova and Jiri Lehecka in the doubles.
The Czechs have one win and a defeat from two ties following their opening round-robin loss to the United States, who take on Germany next in Group C.
Bulgaria’s Alexandar Lazarov and Isabella Shinikova won the first-ever United Cup deciding mixed doubles meeting in Perth, saving a match point to beat Belgium’s David Goffin and Elise Mertens for a 3-2 triumph in Group A.
Casper Ruud sealed Norway’s only victory in their 4-1 Group E defeat by Brazil, as he downed Thiago Monteiro 6-3 6-2. Poland went 3-1 up over Kazakhstan in Group B, with Hubert Hurkacz and Magda Linette winning their matches in Brisbane.
Croatia ended Argentina’s chances of advancing from Perth, going up 3-0 to hand them a second straight Group F loss.
The United Cup is being played in three cities with two group winners from each venue meeting to determine who reaches the last-four stage.
The fourth semi-finalist will be the “city final” runner-up with the best record from their three matches. Sydney will host the final on January 8.
AAP, Reuters
The United Cup is being broadcast on the 9Network, with every match available live on 9Now.