Britain reach Davis Cup quarter-finals
Originally published on 03/02/14
Murray defeated Sam Querrey 7-6(5) 6-7(3) 6-1 6-3 on Sunday to clinch an unassailable 3-1 lead against USA in San Diego to clinch a quarter-final clash with Italy in April.
It was the first time since 1935 that Great Britain had defeated USA in the competition, and 1903 was the last time Britain had won in the United States.
"It feels great to be alive in 2014," said USA captain Jim Courier. "We certainly don't feel a lot of kinship to the last team that lost to the Brits on American soil since they've been dead a long time. It has nothing to do with us. We come to play on our own terms."
Murray beat Donald Young 6-1 6-2 6-3 on Friday before British No.2 James Ward claimed a shock win over Sam Querrey 1-6 7-6(3) 3-6 6-4 6-1 to give the Brits an unlikely 2-0 lead.
Bob and Mike Bryan kept the tie alive with a 6-2 6-3 3-6 6-1 win over Colin Fleming and Dominic Inglot on Saturday, before Murray clinched the victory on the clay at Petco Park, the home of San Diego Padres baseball team.
"I'm proud of the way I'm playing just now, because I had to do a lot of work to get back to where I want to be," said Murray, who missed the last two months of the season after undergoing surgery on his back in late September.
"I'm still not quite there yet. Winning matches of that length and quality so soon after the surgery is good. And changing surfaces and stuff. I've done 13 weeks consecutively without a break of training and playing tournaments to try and get myself back. I need a break now to take some days off after I get back home. I deserve it."
Britain will take on Italy after Fabio Fognini won two singles and a doubles rubber to help his nation claim a 3-1 victory against Argentina in Mar del Plata.
Defending champions Czech Republic defeated Netherlands 3-2, while Japan reached the World Group quarter-finals for the first time with a 4-1 win over Canada.
In the absence of an injured Rafael Nadal, five-time champions Spain were ousted 4-1 by Germany, who set up a quarter-final clash with France, 5-0 winners over Australia. Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka helped Switzerland defeat 2010 champions Serbia 3-2 and book a last-eight meeting with Kazakhstan, 3-2 winners over Belgium in Astana.
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