• Davis Cup

Murray grinds down Isner to set up France quarter-final

ESPN staff
March 8, 2015
Andy Murray gave a tireless and emotional display against John Isner © PA Photos
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Andy Murray gradually moved through the gears to record a 7-6 (4) 6-3 7-6 (4) win against John Isner and set up a Davis Cup quarter-final for Great Britain against France.

Sunday's match, coming after wins for Murray and James Ward over Donald Young and Isner respectively on Friday, gave Britain an unassailable 3-1 lead over the United States and put Leon Smith's side into their second quarter-final in as many years.

"A home tie against France in the summer ... if we could lay a grass court in Scotland for it, it would be great to experience this atmosphere again," Murray said after the match.

"It feels great to secure victory on home soil. It was a team effort - James' win on Friday was incredible. It was a pleasure to be part of this team, all the staff were incredible.

"Togetherness is the key to this team, everyone was pulling together in the same direction. In front of the cameras I'm a little bit shy, but off the cameras I'm a different person. I love playing in the Davis Cup, and this was one of the most special atmospheres I've played in."

The big-serving Isner began superbly but couldn't convert any of his seven break-point chances in the first set. Three of those were set points.

Isner double-faulted to start the tiebreaker, the only point that went against serve. Murray broke once in the second set and sealed the victory with an ace on his second match point.

Murray gave Britain captain Smith a long embrace and then high-fived and hugged his team-mates. He then walked back onto the court, looked up and let out a huge roar in front of the 7,700-capacity crowd.

Playing in his native Scotland for the first time since winning Wimbledon in 2013, Murray has been an animated figure the whole week, roaring on his team-mates from the sidelines. He was almost in tears after Ward's win.

"It was my most special win as captain," said Smith. "It was a tough match today, we knew it was going to be tough. John [Isner] came back, but Murray came through a few tight moments and showed his quality to keep hitting back.

"[Murray's] simply amazing. The way he plays makes him an amazing role model for the rest of the team."

Britain won the match 3-2. Young beat Ward in Sunday's second reverse singles after the Briton retired with a sore knee when leading 7-5 0-1. Ward is playing in Indian Wells next week.

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