Davis Cup 2016: Andy Murray beats Guido Pella to set up Great Britain semi-final decider vs Argentina

Relief for Murray after another draining encounter
Getty Images
Eleanor Crooks18 September 2016

Andy Murray battled through the pain barrier to beat Guido Pella and send Great Britain's Davis Cup semi-final against Argentina to a deciding fifth rubber.

After more than eight hours of tennis already in this tie and on the back of a gruelling summer, it was amazing the world number two even had the energy to drag himself onto the court at Glasgow's Emirates Arena.

But, with the atmosphere having stepped up yet another notch, he did a lot more than that and raced to a 6-3 6-2 6-3 victory over an outclassed Pella.

On the face of it, it was straightforward, but Murray spent much of the third set wincing and needed an off-court injury time-out.

World number 49 Pella had been impressive in defeating Kyle Edmund on day one to give the visitors a 2-0 lead but Murray ruthlessly exploited his lack of weapons.

The victory, which took two hours and 11 minutes, meant Britain's hopes of a second successive Davis Cup final rested on the shoulders of Dan Evans.

Murray said: "It's obviously great. We were in a lot of trouble a couple of days ago but this was the best we could have hoped for and now Dan's got a chance to get the job done."

On his injury, the 29-year-old said: "I just have a lot of pain in my right quad. I need a rest. I've played so much tennis this summer."

Murray arrived in Glasgow with little in the tank and those reserves were depleted significantly by a defeat to Juan Martin del Potro on day one that lasted five hour and seven minutes.

He added another two hours and 55 minutes in partnering brother Jamie to a doubles victory on Saturday to keep the defending champions in the tie.

But the weary Murray that Pella no doubt hoped to be facing was nowhere to be seen as the 29-year-old fizzed a backhand into the corner to break for 3-1.

He wrapped up the opening set with an ace and then broke serve again to start the second.

Pella battled to save six break points in the third game, at one point shrugging his shoulders in the direction of captain Daniel Orsanic.

But no answers were forthcoming and Murray broke again to win the set.

Murray's physical state became apparent early in the third set when he started to stretch out his legs, and after the third game he left the court for treatment from physio Shane Annun.

He jogged back on several minutes later to the relief of the 8,000-strong crowd and Pella gave his opponent a helping hand with a poor game as he was broken once again.

There was no way back for the Argentinian and Murray took victory on his first match point when Pella netted a forehand.

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