(REUTERS) - Argentina substitute Leonardo Mayer ended Britain's reign as Davis Cup champions with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win over Dan Evans in the fifth rubber of the semi-finals on Sunday.

Mayer, who unexpectedly replaced in-form Juan Martin del Potro for the deciding match, propelled the South American nation into their first final since 2011.

Andy Murray, whose defeat by del Potro in a five-hour thriller in the opening singles on Friday left Britain facing an uphill task, had pulled the hosts level at 2-2 by beating Guido Pella 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 in the first of the reverse singles.

But Evans, ranked 53rd in the world, could not finish the job and Argentina secured a final showdown with Croatia, who had earlier beaten France 3-1.