Tuesday 21 July 2015 11:48, UK
Andy Murray felt proud and honoured as he carried Britain to their first Davis Cup semi-final since 1981 after he beat France's Gilles Simon on Sunday to give the hosts an unassailable 3-1 lead.
Murray was playing his third rubber of the weekend following Saturday's doubles victory alongside brother Jamie.
"The whole weekend has been fantastic," Murray said.
"This team has done amazing things. We're punching above our weight here. We're in the semi-finals now of the biggest competition in tennis.
"It's been a long road back from where we were a few years ago but there are many players who have played their part in getting us here.
"I'm just proud to get here and hopefully we can do well against Australia in September."
Murray was beaten by Roger Federer in the Wimbledon semi-finals only nine days ago and the British No 1 had to draw upon all his powers of physical and mental resilience to overcome Simon.
The Frenchman had two medical timeouts during the match following heavy falls and Murray was able to capitalise in front of partisan crowd at the sun-kissed Queen's Club in west London.
"It feels unbelievable to get through that," Murray said.
"It wasn't looking good in the second set but I managed to find a way and used up every last ounce of energy.
"I tried to change my tactics, I was making too many mistakes and Gilles was playing so solid.
"I just chased every ball down, I didn't care how I played, I just wanted to win the match today and that's what I did."
Simon blasts conditions
The loss condemned last year's runners-up to a quarter-final exit that world No 11 Simon blamed largely on the court.
"I've played 10 years on grass and this court is the most slippery court I ever felt," Simon said.
"I fell four or five times. I felt it from the warm-up. I had to pay attention on every shot.
"Andy had to fight also to stay on his legs and he was doing it better than me. I lost a few key points because of that."
It was a painful end to the Davis Cup campaign for nine-time winners France, but captain Arnaud Clement conceded Britain had deserved to advance to the last four.
"The British team were a little more solid. In a lot of sets this weekend just one or two points could change things, but they deserved the win," Clement said.
"It was a great performance for Andy to play three days in a row and he still looked great at the end today.
"The Davis Cup means a lot in France, so this is a difficult moment.
"We have to think about this and try to be better next year. Something is missing."
The British team were a little more solid. In a lot of sets this weekend just one or two points could change thing, but they deserved the win.
