Davis Cup: Andy Murray beats Kei Nishikori in epic as Britain make last-eight

Murray's win gave Britain an unassailable 3-1 lead in the tie and a place in July`s quarter-finals.

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.