Glasgow, Scotland (SportsNetwork.com) - Two-time Grand Slam champion and Scottish hero Andy Murray beat John Isner in straight sets on Sunday to propel Great Britain past the United States and into the Davis Cup quarterfinals.
The Brits had to win just one of two scheduled reverse singles matches on Sunday, and the world No. 5 Australian Open runner-up Murray was first up and took care of the 20th-ranked 6-foot-10 American Isner 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) in 2 hours, 31 minutes at Glasgow's Emirates Arena to give the hosts an unassailable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five affair.
Isner swatted 28 aces but was unable to break Murray, who notched the only break of the match in the second set.
Shortly after his 16th ace of the match cruised past Isner, Murray gave British captain Leon Smith a long hug and then high-fived and hugged his teammates.
"It was one of the most special atmospheres I have ever played in," said Murray, who was playing in Scotland for the first time since 2013.
"To be in the quarterfinals for a second year when it hasn't happened for so long is incredible."
Murray is now 21-2 in his career Davis Cup singles, while the towering Isner fell to is 8-9, including 0-2 this week.
Doubles greats Bob and Mike Bryan kept the U.S. alive on Saturday with a dramatic five-set victory over Dominic Inglot and Murray's older brother, Jamie.
Friday's opening singles saw Murray handle Donald Young in four sets and James Ward come back from two-sets-to-love down to stun Isner in five, including a dramatic 28-game fifth.
A dead rubber on Sunday saw Young defeat Ward 5-7, 1-0, as Ward retired due to a knee injury, as Britain settled for a 3-2 victory.
The Brits eliminated the U.S. for a second straight year in the first round, having claimed a 3-1 win last year in San Diego.
The U.S. still leads this all-time series, 11-9. The Americans own a record 32 Davis Cup titles, while Britain boasts nine, with its last coming in 1936. The Americans last hoisted the chalice in 2007.
The United States and British Isles met in the first-ever Davis Cup final in Boston in 1900.
Britain will host long-time Davis Cup rival France in July.
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