Intro:

Great Britain went through to the Davis Cup semi-finals for the first time in 34 years on Sunday (19th July) after Andy Murray came from a set down to beat Gilles Simon of France 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-0, giving GB an unassailable 3-1 lead in the tie.

Script:

After his singles win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday and Saturday's doubles victory with brother Jamie, Andy Murray was on court for the third straight day on Sunday as he opened the reverse singles in Great Britain's Davis Cup quarter-final with France at The Queen's Club in London.

Murray had complained of fatigue going into Saturday's four-set success over Tsonga and Nicolas Mahut, and started sluggishly here.

Simon took full advantage, breaking the Briton's serve in the third game and closing out the set 6-4.

Simon broke again in the first game of the second set, but Murray fought back to level at 4-4.

A tie-break followed, during which Simon opened up a 4-1 lead, but he could not hold on and Murray won six out of the next seven points to take the breaker and level the match at one set all.

In the third set, it was Murray's turn to break in the opening game and he raced into a 3-0 lead.

At 3-5 Simon slipped on serve, allowing Murray to bring up set point and he took it in spectacular style with an expertly-executed topspin lob.

Both players struggled with their footing throughout the match, but when Simon slipped again on serve in the second game of the fourth set, allowing Murray to break for a 2-0 lead, it proved crucial.

Simon needed treatment to his left ankle and the match was delayed for seven minutes.

The Frenchman was clearly hampered by the injury and Murray coasted to victory.

Soon after, Simon put a backhand wide and Murray had a 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-0 win and GB an unassailable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five match.

The result put Great Britain into the Davis Cup semi-finals for the first time in 34 years.

Britain's first World Group semi since 1981 will be against Australia between the 18th and 20th September.

Australia, inspired by veteran Lleyton Hewitt, recovered from being 2-0 down after Friday's singles to beat Kazakhstan 3-2 in Darwin.

A tearful Murray had to be consoled after the match by GB team captain Leon Smith.