Andy Murray Triumphs At Davis Cup

Picture By Jeff Holmes

Andy Murray wrapped up a Davis Cup triumph for Great Britain with a straight-sets victory over American number one John Isner.

Murray saved three set points before taking the opener on a tie-break and he remained in control after that to claim a 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 7-6 (7/4) victory in Glasgow.

The win sealed a 3-1 triumph over the United States and set up a World Group quarter-final tie against France.

Isner came out fighting in a bid to erase the memory of his epic loss against James Ward on Friday, when he threw away a two-set lead.

The world number 20 hit six aces in his first two service games and threatened to break Murray in the eighth game after the Scot posted two double faults.

But the home favourite saved a third break point with an ace and then moved to 4-4.

The world number five faced more difficulty in his next service game when another double fault set up two set points, but a wild forehand and a return into the net saw Isner pass up the chances. Another opportunity soon came but again Murray produced an ace before wrapping up the game in identical fashion.

Isner made it 6-5 with his 12th ace of the contest but he started the subsequent tie-break with a double fault and could not break back.

A brilliant lob from Murray broke Isner in the sixth game of the second set and he served to love to move two ahead.

Isner again proved resilient in the third set but a couple of excellent backhand slices put him in trouble on his serve in the tie-break and Murray finished him off with a smash at the net before seeing out the win with another ace.

His triumph gave Britain an unassailable lead before James Ward took on Donald Young in a dead rubber.

Britain will again be at home in the last eight on July 17-19 against France, who beat Germany 3-2 after winning the first three matches including singles triumphs for world top-20 players Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils.