Birmingham: Andy Murray defeated Kei Nishikori 7-5, 7-6 (8/6), 3-6, 4-6, 6-3 in an epic clash as defending champions Great Britain downed Japan to reach the Davis Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.
Murray, the world number two, had seemed set for a comfortable afternoon against his sixth-ranked opponent by taking the first two sets against a player he had defeated five times in six previous encounters.
But Nishikori battled and even was a break to the good in the deciding set before Murray stormed back for victory in five minutes short of five hours.
Victory gave Britain an unassailable 3-1 lead in the tie and a place in July`s quarter-finals.
Waiting there will be Novak Djokovic`s Serbia or outsiders Kazakhstan.
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