Murray advances Britain to first Davis Cup final in 37 years
GLASGOW, Scotland -- Andy Murray sent Britain into its first Davis Cup final in 37 years on Sunday, securing victory against Australia with a straight-sets win over Bernard Tomic.
Murray -- ranked third in the world -- produced a 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 triumph to send Britain into an unassailable 3-1 lead and ensure it will face Belgium or Argentina in the Nov. 27-29 final.
"We knew it would be an incredibly difficult match to win, Australia have great depth and experience," Murray said. "We fought extremely hard, everyone played their part in the team and I'm glad to finish it off today.
"It's been a very tough weekend for me physically, and mentally it's draining as well."
Murray won both his singles matches and doubles with his brother Jamie and now hopes to win the Davis Cup for Britain for the first time since 1936.
Britain's last final appearance was in 1978.
"It would be an incredible achievement," Murray said. "There's a long way to go and two incredibly difficult teams in front of us."
The Belgium-Argentina semifinal was tied at 2-2 as Murray spoke.
"It would be nice if Argentina could get through and we could play the final at home," Murray said.
Just as he was during Friday's demolition of Thanasi Kokkinakis, Murray was on top form as he treated about 8,000 fans at the Emirates Arena to an outstanding array of shots.
The Scotsman has now helped the British to their last seven Davis Cup points -- along with Jamie Murray -- to see off the United States, France and now Australia.
Murray had endured four hours on court alongside his brother before seeing off Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth in Saturday's doubles, but he could not have started any better as he launched two aces in his first three points.
Murray only lost one point in his first two service games and broke in Tomic's second, winning his third break point when a deep, high shot put the Australian on the back foot before he sent a backhand into the net.
It was not entirely plain sailing. Murray was broken as he served for the set, after initially saving a break point he double-faulted and was then wide with a backhand to hand its 23rd-ranked opponent a way back into the set.
But the reprieve did not last long. Murray set up three break-points in the next game and finished Tomic off with a deft backhand drop shot.
Murray strengthened his grip in the fourth game of the second set, producing some magnificent defense work to return shots that were hard enough just to reach, and Tomic cracked when he smashed into the net to set up two break points.
Murray only needed one as his opponent this time sent a backhand into the net, and Britain's top-ranked player went on to see out the set by confidently serving to love.
He soon broke to love to take control of the third set and he swept to victory in style.
He went 4-2 ahead thanks to two audacious drop shots in succession, followed by an ace, to leave Tomic looking utterly broken.
Tomic was broken in the next game and Murray wrapped up the victory when his opponent was wide with a return of serve.
