Great Britain return to Glasgow for Davis Cup semi-final clash against Argentina

Great Britain will head back to the hard courts of Glasgow for their 2016 Davis Cup World Group semi-final showdown against Argentina, it has now been confirmed. The defending champions will return to the scene of last year's key triumphs against the United States and Australia at the 8,000-capacity Emirates Arena between 16-18 September.

"We are delighted to be returning to the Emirates Arena in Glasgow," captain Leon Smith said. "As the Aegon GB Davis Cup Team, we all have amazing memories of our times there last year. Defeating the USA in our first round tie was where our incredible 2015 journey began, and then returning for the semi-final against Australia. I will never forget the unbelievable reception we got in the stadium and from everyone in the city.

"The fans are what make the Davis Cup so special and I know the players will be thrilled to get back in front of that crowd again. Argentina will be a tough tie, they have world class talent throughout their side, but I know whoever pulls on that GB shirt will give everything for the team and I'm sure there will be some incredible tennis for the fans."

GB are 10-time winners of the Davis Cup, but had not lifted the trophy for 79 years before world number two Andy Murray incredibly spearheaded their successful 2015 effort that culminated with a memorable 3-1 victory over hosts Belgium on a clay court in Ghent. They opened this year's competition with a comfortable defeat of Japan at Birmingham's Barclaycard Arena and had British number two Kyle Edmund and his rasping forehand to thank for last month's 3-2 triumph against Serbia in Belgrade.

Murray was absent from that latter success given that it came so soon after he claimed his third Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, but he has thus far seemed confident that he will be available to play against Argentina despite it following hot on the heels of his gold medal defence at the Rio Olympics and the US Open at Flushing Meadows. Slovenian-born Aljaz Bedene remains ineligible to compete for his adopted country after seeing an appeal rejected by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in March.

Argentina have never won the Davis Cup, but did finish as runners-up on four previous occasions. Currently captained by two-time French Open doubles semi-finalist Daniel Orsanic, they have beaten Poland and Italy away from home so far this year. That latter win, achieved by a 3-1 margin in Pesaro, was secured courtesy of two singles victories for Federico Delbonis and success for the returning Juan Martin del Potro and Guido Pella in the solitary doubles rubber. The South Americans have beaten GB in three of their previous four meetings, cruising to a 4-1 triumph in Buenos Aires in the last clash eight years ago.