Evans replies with a wonderful winner, only for Pospisil to hit back and force deuce. But Evo digs deep into his reserves for a gutsy hold.

The Stirling Uni Barmy Army have been pretty quiet today. Maybe a Saturday night on the Ottawa tiles has taken its toll.

They do find their voice at the start of the third-set opener as Evans goes 30-15 ahead. 

That turns into 30-30 when Pospisil, who is so far out of court he almost runs into the line judge, turns a stretching forehand into a crosscourt winner. If the Canadian bought a lottery scratchcard right now it would be a jackpot winner...

Image source, Getty Images

Jamie Baker
Former GB Davis Cup player on BBC red Button

Dan has played a decent match, there’s just been one or two tactical decisions on two or three big points where he’s strayed way from the game plan. On this court, this quick, it’s two of three points that will decide this match. But looking at him at the change of ends, I still think Dan’s in this match.

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John Lloyd
Former GB Davis Cup captain on BBC Red Button

He’s played a tremendous two sets. He’s really blunted the versatility of Dan Evans and taken over. He’s taken it out of the air, he’s rushed him, he’s almost bullied him. Playing against someone serving this well, it’s very tough for Dan Evans to get himself into this match.

Image source, AFP

Allie: Pospisil (on his day) is a much better player then Evans or Edmund and has much more big game experience.

Those break points disappear as quickly as they arrive. Pospisil ups the ante with two thunderous aces, Evans pegging him back for a second deuce. But the Canadian is no mood for letting this one slip out of his fingers, Evans buckling with a weak return into the net.

Pospisil bounds down the sideline back to his chair, coach Martin Laurendeau windmilling his arms in celebration.

Oooh! Vasek Pospisil loses focus on the first point, walloping a loose volley well wide for 0-15. Dan Evans takes encouragement, guiding a dreamy forehand down the line for 0-30.

Batten up the hatches Dan. Here comes the first bomb from Pospisil, Evans struggling to return. The onslaught isn't sustained though, Evans winning the next to tee up a couple of break points...

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Dan Evans is a fighter. He keeps this set alive with a confident service game, bringing a cross-court dropshot to the party for 40-15 then dabbing a backhand winner down the line. Over to Mr Pospisil...

Leon Smith is in Evo's ear at the changeover, scratching his chin after offering some placating words. Has it helped? We'll see... 

Evans channels that energy positively by moving 0-30 ahead, pegged back by a hefty Pospisil return that dusts the sideline. The Canadian wipes out the disadvantage with another first serve and then a thumping ace down the middle for 40-30. He cracks another monster to leave Evans flapping and wondering what might have been.

The Briton is serving to stay in this second set... 

Image source, AFP

Jamie Baker
Former GB Davis Cup player on BBC Red Button

It looks like it was Frederic Niemeyer that Evans was arguing with - he used to a love a row. He had a few with me.

This Canadian crowd are loving their man's display, wafting Maple Leaf flags after almost every other point at the moment. Vasek Pospisil's net play has been quality today, illustrated again when he moves forward to level at 30-30. 

But Evans digs to deep to hold, then has a row with the Canada bench at the changeover. Mouthfuls of banana  interrupted by mouthfuls of expletives from the Brummie. Getting hotter than your favourite curry now is this match.

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Slamming that racquet seems to be a cathartic release for Dan Evans as he moves 0-30 ahead. Chance of a fourth successive break? Nope. Pospisil roars back to hold, sealing it when Evans can't return a hefty first serve.

These break points just keep on coming. Two more for Pospisil. Evans saves the first - but not the second. A tug o'war of a rally ends when a loose Evans return is seized upon by Pospisil, who gallops towards the net and guides in an unreachable net volley.

And that leads to Dan Evans's racquet being killed off by the court. Or, more accurately, when Evans ploughs his weapon into the blue acrylic. Twice. One for the recycle bin.

Sen-sa-tion-AL! Evans stops Pospisil stepping on the gas and cruising down the Second Set Highway at the first junction. Evo racks up a break point and then...THWACK! He digs out a backhand from the corner, the ball whizzing past the advancing Pospisil and landing a few inches in.

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Michael Jagger: Time for some Leon Smith magic to give Dan a boost. Had Pospisil on a string early on, needs to re-engage  

Good point Mick.

John Lloyd
Former GB Davis Cup captain on BBC Red Button

It’s remarkable for Pospisil to have come in with the lack of confidence he would have had, and to play this kind of tennis on the third day. You’ve got to give credit to the Canadian, he’s taking the ball on and has confidence he can hit winners with ease. The serve is in such good rhythm that he’s finding corners. He’s overwhelming Dan Evans but there’s a long way to go yet.

Image source, Reuters

Only just joining us? Tut tut. Here's how Vasek Pospisil won the first set if you missed it.

Danger signs for Dan Evans. He finds net rather than Pospisil's side of the court with a weak forehand from the baseline and then a feathery drop-shot. And the Canadian turns 15-30 into 15-40 with a winning volley after running all over the court to stay in the point.

Two break points for Canada...

One goes when Evans springs forward to pat down a net volley. But the second doesn't disappear. A cracking forehand winner down the lines meets Evans's serve. 

Evans can't believe what he has just seen...

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Vasek Pospisil has got the sort of serve that would bruise your thigh if you took an unfortunate whack. He hammers down his 11th ace of the evening for 40-15, another meaty first serve met by Dan Evans' racquet but the ball flies towards Row A.

Image source, AFP

Dan Evans needs a routine hold to kick off this second set - and he almost gets what he hoped for.He races into a 40-0 lead, briefly halted by a deep Pospisil forehand that kisses the whitewash, before taking the game with an almost identical point. Good enough.