Andy Murray completed a straight sets victory over Andreas Seppi as Britain levelled the Davis Cup quarterfinal against Italy 1-1 on Saturday.
Murray won 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 in more than three hours for a sixth straight victory over Seppi as he kept alive Britain’s bid to reach the Davis Cup semifinals for the first time since 1981.
The match had been suspended Friday night due to fading light, with the British No. 1 leading 6-4, 5-5.
When play resumed, Murray immediately broke and then held his serve to take a commanding lead.
Seppi appeared to be getting back into the game with an early break in the third set. But the Italian immediately relinquished his advantage with a double fault to allow Murray to break back.
The two-time Grand Slam champion won five games in a row to seal the match.
Seppi will rue his missed opportunities in the second set where, after wasting two chances to take a 5-2 lead, he also had four set points saved before a double fault handed Murray the decisive break.
Murray will return to the court later Saturday for the doubles match with Colin Fleming against Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolelli.
Italy has not lost at home to Britain since 1926 and will be hoping the vociferous home support can help it reach the final four for the first time in 16 years.
