Andy Murray Reveals he Defied Pain to Take Great Britain Into Davis Cup Final

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Glasgow: Andy Murray revealed he played through the pain barrier to help seal Great Britain’s first appearance in a Davis Cup final since 1978. (Roger Federer Casts Doubt Over Davis Cup’s Future)

The world number three handed his side an unassailable 3-1 lead in their World Group semi-final clash against Australia following his 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Bernard Tomic in the first reverse singles rubber on Sunday.

Britain’s Dan Evans lost 7-5, 6-4 to Thanasi Kokkinakis in the final rubber. Britain will now face an away trip to take on Belgium in the final, due to played between November 27-29, after they defeated Argentina 3-2 in the second semi-final tie.

Murray won both singles’ matches and the doubles with brother Jamie as he played on three successive days to secure a first victory over old rivals Australia since 1978.

But the 28-year-old revealed that a back injury sustained in training last Tuesday had been a cause for concern throughout the tie.

“My back had been giving me a lot of trouble this weekend and for a few days before the tie as well,” Murray said.

“The previous issues I’ve had with my back have been completely different. My back was fine during the US Open and all through that stretch. I took five days off and started practising again. On Tuesday night, once I had finished practising and had cooled down, my back was extremely sore and it got progressively worse over the next couple of days.

“I didn’t feel it when I was playing on the Tuesday so I don’t know exactly what happened. Sometimes after you have played a lot of tennis and then you do take a break the muscles and everything stiffen up and you can have some issues.”

First title since 1936

It puts nine-time winners Britain, on the verge of relegation to Zone Group III five years ago, a step closer to an historic first title triumph since 1936.

Murray is now looking to become only the fourth player ever to win the Davis Cup, Olympic gold and multiple Grand Slams.

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