By Chris Oddo | Sunday, April 6, 2014

 

Fabio Fognini outclassed Andy Murray on the red clay in Naples to bring Italy even with Great Britain at two-all in Davis Cup.

Photo Credit: Cira Fusco/ EPA

Fabio Fognini backed up the notion that he is one of the best clay-court tennis players in the world on Sunday in Naples, Italy, as the World No. 13 took down two-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4, to draw Italy even with Great Britain in their best-of-five Davis Cup tie.

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The loss is Murray's first in the competition since 2005, and it ends his personal 19-match Davis Cup winning streak.

“Now it's 2-2,” said Fognini. “We need one more. In Italy, one match like this, important point, I feel everything's inside me. Right Now I just feel happy.”

“He played very well today, that's for sure," said Murray, who had won two points on Saturday to put Great Britain ahed 2-1. "He's a very good player, especially on this surface.”

Fognini improves his Davis Cup singles record on clay to 12-1 with the victory.

Andreas Seppi and James Ward will play the deciding fifth rubber in Naples.

Whoever wins will certainly have cause to celebrate.

Great Britain has not reached the Davis Cup World Group semis since 1981, while Italy has not reached the last four since 1998.