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Davis Cup is a supercharged emotional affair, and those emotions got the best of Andy Murray after he defeated Gilles Simon in four sets on Sunday to clinch Great Britain’s first trip to the World Group semifinals in 34 years.

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“Every player says there’s something extra there when you’re playing for your country,” Murray said after the match. “It just means that much more. Being part of this team [with] a lot of people that I’ve known for 15, 16 years—we’re all very close—and you want to do your best for them, and thankfully I just managed to find that little bit extra when I needed it today.”

Murray’s tears might have been part relief, too. He was one point from falling a set and a double-break down before he rallied to level with Simon at one set apiece on Sunday. Surely, at that juncture, dark clouds were hovering over Murray. The Scot puts a brave face on for his friends and fans, but surely his nerves have undergone a bit of fraying this summer. He’s been in a high-intensity cauldron since winning the title at Queen’s Club in June. With Wimbledon aspirations ramping up, Murray’s been in the epicenter of the British media maelstrom for well over a month now (and a week longer than normal thanks to this week’s Davis Cup taking place in London).

“Just managed to find something at the end of that second set, which gave me a boost,” said Murray. “Yeah, I was struggling out there in the beginning and Gilles was playing excellent, making me move a lot and play very long rallies.”

Simon was left to lament a difficult loss afterwards. It was a match that looked to be in his control for the better part of two hours. But by the end he was miles behind the gallant Murray, whose second wind puffed his sails as he took the finish line.

“I feel like I had him where I wanted to have him,” said a disappointed Simon. “I just feel it was a bit hard today. Andy played it good. He stayed really focused and played a really consistent point. From first to last point he wanted to make it hard for me.”

A relieved Murray can now get some rest whilst contemplating yet another milestone for himself, his family and for British tennis. The Brits have not been to the final four of Davis Cup since more than five years before he was born.

“It’s obviously a great achievement for the team, and to do it against a team as good as France—they’ve got the No. 11, 12, 13 singles players in the world and a top doubles player in Mahut—it’s a fantastic achievement for us as a nation, I’m proud to be a part of it,” Murray said.



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