Murray leads Great Britain over U.S. in Davis Cup

Andy Murray practices at last year's BNP Paribas Open
in Indian Wells. Photo by Paul Bauman

   For the second straight year, Great Britain defeated the United States in the first round of the Davis Cup.
   Andy Murray gave his country an insurmountable 3-1 lead with a 7-6 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (4) victory over John Isner on Sunday in Glasgow, Scotland. Murray is from Dunblane, Scotland.
   In the second reverse singles match, Great Britain's James Ward retired with a sore knee while leading Donald Young 7-5, 0-1. That made the final score 3-2. 
   Bob and Mike Bryan had kept the United States alive with a five-set victory over Dominic Inglot and Jamie Murray, Andy's older brother, on Saturday.
   Three of the four players in Saturday's match have won an NCAA doubles crown. The Bryan brothers triumphed in 1998 while at Stanford, and Inglot prevailed in 2009 with Virginia teammate Michael Shabaz.
   Great Britain, seeking its first Davis Cup title since 1936, will host France in the quarterfinals on July 17-19.
   The United States, which has won a record 32 Davis Cup championships, must win a relegation match in September to remain in the elite World Group.