Slo torture as Brits waste a golden chance to end hoodoo

BOULTER RUNS OUT OF GAS AND TEAM LOSE THEIR WAY

- Neil McLeman

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.