Great Britain's Laura Robson lost out to Paula Ormaechea.
Argentina ended Great Britain’s hopes of returning to the Fed Cup World Group II after Elena Baltacha was defeated by Maria Irigoyen in Buenos Aires.
After world No 38 Laura Robson lost 6-4 4-6 6-2 to Paula Ormaechea to leave Britain trailing 2-1, Baltacha slumped to a 5-7 6-3 1-6 loss against Argentinian No 3 Irigoyen, who came in for Florencia Molinero.
Baltacha struggled with pain in her leg in the deciding set and when the 29-year-old’s volley ended up in the net, Irigoyen fired home a forehand winner to take the match.
The final doubles round subsequently became a dead rubber with Argentina’s participation in next year’s World Group II confirmed.
Britain were hoping to return to World Group II after an absence of 20 years but Judy Murray’s team will return to the Euro/Africa Group 1 in February.
