The 32-year-old Murray, who returned from hip
surgery in June, made heavy weather of beating 79th-ranked
Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor on Wednesday in Britain's opening
group match.
But he did not feature the next day against Kazakhstan and was
again only cheering on from the sidelines as Britain beat
Germany 2-1 to reach the semi-final by beating Germany on
Friday.
Kyle Edmund, who has returned to form after a slump, has won
both his singles in place of Murray while Dan Evans secured the
winning point by beating Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6(6) 3-6
7-6(2) at La Caja Magica on Friday.
Murray, who almost single-handedly took Britain to Davis Cup
glory in 2015, admitted on Wednesday he had put on 5 kg (11
lb)since winning the European Open in Antwerp last month -- his
first title since returning to action.
"I thought that where Kyle and obviously Evo are at is ahead of
where Andy's just now," captain Leon Smith said when asked
whether Murray would return for the semi-final.
"That's where it is in terms of how he's feeling and whatnot.
And when you've got two very, very good players like Kyle and
Evo that are ready to go, then that's what we do.
"He could play, but I wouldn't say he's in his best condition.
He says that's how he's feeling."
Evans, 29, is now the highest-ranked British player at 42nd but
lost his opening two matches in Madrid, having won the first
set. Struff pegged him back on Friday but Evans hung tough.
"The last two days for me after losing was pretty tough," Evans
said. "With Kyle doing a great job, it made it way easier for me
to be in such a tight situation tonight."
His next task is likely to be trying to stop Rafael Nadal in
front of a Madrid crowd on a Saturday night.
"If it happens I'll go on the court believing I can win
otherwise there's no point in walking on," Evans said.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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