Down to the wire: Juan Martin del Potro poised to sit out key Davis Cup clash as Argentina close in on win

Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro could sit out a potentially make-or-break Davis Cup semi-final decider against Great Britain on Sunday after playing for an exhausting eight hours over two days.

The South Americans lead the defending champions 2-1 going into Sunday’s reverse singles where three-time grand slam winner Andy Murray is expected to see off Guido Pella.

That would set the scene for the decisive clash which is expected to feature 2009 US Open champion Del Potro against Kyle Edmund.

But del Potro, still feeling his way back after a series of wrist injuries pushed him to the brink of retirement, says he is concerned for his long-term health after a tiring summer which saw him make the Olympics final and the quarter-finals of the US Open.

“I’m not thinking about tomorrow. First Guido Pella has to play against Great Britain’s number one and he could win and close the tie,” said the 27-year-old Del Potro who beat Andy Murray in five sets on Friday in a rubber lasting over five hours.