Rusedski defeat ends GB bid

GB went down 3-2 to Austria after an injured Greg Rusedski lost in the crucial fifth rubber to Stefan Koubek.

The British number two struggled with a blister on his racket hand after being forced to play 11 sets in two days following a wash-out on Friday.

Henman said: "It is asking a hell of a lot. I don't know why we don't take this option to play on Monday."

The world number four added: "It is very difficult with that workload. It's a rule but I don't know if it's the right rule.

"Even having said all that, I still feel we could've won the tie and I'm disappointed that I didn't play better throughout the weekend."

There was no way I wanted to leave Greg out Jeremy Bates, GB skipper

Henman and Rusedski were made to play two singles and a doubles match each as team captain Jeremy Bates decided against throwing in the inexperienced pair Alex Bogdanovic and 17-year-old Andrew Murray.

On Saturday, Henman lost to the inspired Koubek and Rusedski beat Jurgen Melzer before starting their doubles match against Julian Knowle and Alexander Peya.

The Britons eventually lost that match when it was finished on Sunday morning, before Henman kept Britain's hopes alive by beating Melzer in the reverse singles.

That left Rusedski needing victory to ensure Britain stayed in the elite World Group of the competition.

But Bates was adamant that he was up to the task.

"There was no way I wanted to leave Greg out after the fantastic performance he put up," said Bates.

"Greg was very reassuring about his injury and the hand proved not to be an issue. I couldn't have asked for anything more from him."

Austrian skipper Thomas Muster, however, insisted it was important to be able to rest his top singles players.

"That was the key," he said. "I had fresh players in doubles and singles."