THE good news for British tennis is that Emma Raducanu finished the Billie Jean King Cup finals unbeaten and is raring to go next season.
The bad news is her Great Britain team-mates could not show the same big-match temperament in the women's World Cup of tennis, as they failed to seize a great chance to reach the final.
Captain Anne Keothavong, whose management style is inspired by Gareth Southgate, saw her team benefit from a favourable draw and still lose in the semi-finals.
The 2002 champions Slovakia are the smallest nation in the finals here in Spain, and their No.1 player Rebecca Sramkova is ranked world No.43.
GB were strong favourites to reach the final for the first time since 1981 before collapsing in sight of the line.
It was an anti-climactic end to such a promising tournament, which had started with two convincing wins and confident talk of smashing Britain's 63-year in the The hoodoo competition decisive doubles match was played in the sparsely populated smaller arena stadium.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Slo torture as Brits waste a golden chance to end hoodoo
BOULTER RUNS OUT OF GAS AND TEAM LOSE THEIR WAY
BY EDDIE DID ME A FAVOUR HAVING A GO
Ollie changed after Jones attacked his 'bad attitude'
HILL DOESN'T TOP BILL
NICKY HENDERSON insisted there is \"nothing wrong' with Constitution Hill after his stable superstar was deposed as Champion Hurdle favourite yesterday.
THE ALTERNATIVE UNDERTAKER
From clifftop ceremonies to campervan-driven vigils and funeral pyres, Rupert Callender s revolutionising the 'bad theatre' that characterises the business of death in modern Britain
Cock-a-doodle-don't!
Residents have sleep shattered by bird's noisy 3am squawking
Mission to revive boxer pupfish after zoo finds it has the only one left
A ZOO is spearheading a conservation effort to save a rare fish species from extinction - after discovering it had the last remaining boxer pupfish.
'I'll never forget the horror in my dying husband's eyes'
A WIDOW who watched her husband choke to death due to cancer says she will never forget the look of horror in his eyes.
Gisele blasts the 'cowards' accused.of her many rapes
A FRENCHWOMAN who was sexually violated by scores of men after her husband drugged her called them all \"cowards\" yesterday as she gave evidence for the last time.
5,000 calories per day and no nature documentaries
Rev Richard Coles on lax pre-jungle routine
A criminal abuse of 'Stasi' police powers Pictures: GETTY
THE SINGLE most appalling aspect of the Allison Pearson story is that she was not told of what exactly she was accused.
