Sports

Britain back in Davis Cup World Group

Murray secures teams’ return after five-year absence.

Afp September 15, 2013

i thought it was a pretty good match i didn t give him a lot of opportunities on my serve quot says murray photo afp afp

“I thought it was a pretty good match, I didn’t give him a lot of opportunities on my serve," says Murray .PHOTO: AFP/AFP

UMAG: Andy Murray secured Britain’s return to the Davis Cup World Group after a five-year absence when he defeated Croatia’s Ivan Dodig 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in a playoff rubber at Umag.

That made the match score 3-1 in Britain’s favour with just the second of the reverse singles to follow. Dodig put up some resistance early on but tired badly in the second set and Murray coasted away to clinch the win that puts Britain back among the elite of world tennis.

“I thought it was a pretty good match,” said the world number three. “I didn’t give him a lot of opportunities on my serve.

“I was nervous and it was a big match for us to get back into the World Group. I am looking forward to it — to play some of the biggest countries in the world, so it’s exciting for all of the guys.”

For Croatia, the defeat means that they fall out of the World Group for the first time since 2008, having won the trophy in 2005.

“It was an extremely difficult match for me,” said Dodig. “I tried all I could, but on the other hand Murray was an excellent opponent.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2013.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.