Friday 25 September 2015 19:39, UK
The Davis Cup will use fifth-set tie-breakers beginning next year after the International Tennis Federation approved the change at their annual meeting in Santiago on Friday.
Earlier this year, Leonardo Mayer of Argentina and Joao Souza of Brazil were involved in the longest Davis Cup singles match on record - lasting six hours and 42 minutes - forcing the best-of-five series to be extended to a fourth day.
The fifth set alone lasted two hours and 30 minutes before Mayer clinched the match 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 5-7 15-13, while on the same weekend Briton James Ward beat American John Isner 15-13 in the final set of their rubber in Glasgow.
In 2013, a Davis Cup doubles rubber between the Czech Republic and Switzerland went a minute over the seven-hour mark after going to 24-22 in the decider.
The Davis Cup has had tie-breakers in all sets except for the fifth since 1989.
The new rule will only be introduced after this year's final between Belgium and Great Britain has taken place in November.
