An injury scare towards the closing stages of the match did little to disrupt Andy Murray’s momentum as he brushed aside Guide Pella 6-3, 6-2, 6-3, to move Great Britain into a decisive rubber against Argentina.
Sunday’s meeting at the Emirates Arena was a must-win match for the Wimbledon champion as his team trailed 1-2 in the semi-final tie against the Argentine’s following their whitewash on the first day of action.
Murray had never played Pella before their encounter in Glasgow, but the disparity in experience between the two was evident from the onset. It wasn’t that the Argentine was playing poorly, it was just his tentative start to the match which ruined his first set hopes. A series of Pella errors in the fourth game elevated Murray to two break points. The world No.2 then broke was ease thanks to a cross-court backhand winner. That break was critical to the outcome of the opening set as Pella failed to find a way to get back into the proceedings, despite some valiant play. Serving for the lead, Murray capitalized on his second set point after an ace down the line.
The onslaught continued beyond the first set as Murray dictated the points and returned Pella’s shots with interest. Breaking immediately with some strong hitting, the Brit had six chances to secure back-to-back breaks, but was denied due to some resistance from his opponent. Despite the disappointment, it did little to tame Murray’s supremacy in the encounter. Strolling towards a two-set lead, a forehand into the net from Pella moved Murray closer to levelling the tie.
It’s all going Andy Murray’s way in the 4th rubber, and this #DavisCup semi-final is surely heading for a decider! https://t.co/Rq95kpVC46
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) 18 September 2016
Murray’s investments during the first two sets didn’t come without its consequences. Three games into the third set, he left the court to undergo some treatment after experiencing pain in his right quad midway through as rally. The issue didn’t appear too problematic as he returned to the court from his injury time out, jogging to his bench.
“I have a lot of sharp pain in my right quad. I have to go and see what’s up and get some treatment. I need a break. I have played so much tennis, my body needs some rest.” Murray said during his on court interview.
The injury scare did little to disrupt the inevitable outcome of the match. Dismantling the pella serve once again to move to 4-2, the world No.2 held his nerve to seal the crucial victory, claiming match point following another costly error from his opponent.
“It is great to level the tie. We were in lot of trouble a couple of days ago but his is the best we could have hoped for. Now dan has got a chance to go out and get the job done.” Murray said.
“It makes a huge difference for all of us playing in front of this crowd. We have had some great moments here in Glasgow, we need all the support for the next one.” He later added.
The outcome of the tie will now be decided in a fifth rubber between Dan Evans and Leonardo Mayer. Great Britain has only twice recovered from a 0-2 deficit to win their Davis Cup tie in history with their most recent triumph occurring in 2013 against Russia.
