Andy Murray takes Great Britain into Davis Cup semi-finals with stunning France victory
ANDY MURRAY took Great Britain into the semi-finals of the Davis Cup for the first time since 1981 after beating France's Gilles Simon.
Andy Murray celebrates after winning his match
A visibly emotional Murray was unable to hold back the tears after a stunning individual performance across the weekend at Queen's Club in west London.
Murray teamed up with his brother Jamie in the doubles on Saturday to put Great Britain 2-1 up in the tie but it appeared those exertions had hampered the Brit as he lost the first set to Simon 4-6.
Appearing physically and mentally exhausted, Murray found himself a break down in the second but recovered to win it in a tiebreak.
The 28-year-old maintained the momentum to surge into a double-break lead and eventually won the third set 6-3.
A slip by Simon on his opening service game of the fourth gave Murray another early break and after a medical time-out for the Frenchman, the end was nigh.
Murray marched into a 5-0 lead and, despite some late resistance a backhand pushed wide on the fourth match point was enough to seal a 4-6, 7-6, 6-3, 6-0 win and hand Great Britain victory.
Murray told the BBC: "It feels unbelievable to get through. I used up my last ounces of energy. I'll have a little holiday now, get a few days away and I'm looking forward to that.
Andy Murray celebrates with wife Kim after winning his match
"I just tried to change tactics, I was making too many mistakes. I didn't care how I played, I just wanted to win the match today and that's what I did.
"The whole weekend been fantastic, this team has done amazing things. We are punching above our weight and now in the semi-finals of the biggest team competition in tennis."
Great Britain will now face Australia, who beat Kazakhstan 3-2, in September for a place in the final.