Andy Murray secured Britain’s return to the Davis Cup World Group after a five-year absence when he defeated Croatia’s Ivan Dodig 6-4 6-2 6-4 in a playoff rubber at Umag on Sunday.
That made the match score 3-1 in Britain’s favour with just the second of the reverse singles to follow.
Wimbledon, 2012 US Open and Olympic champion Murray won his opening singles on Friday and teamed up with Colin Fleming to win the doubles on Saturday.
Dodig, who beat Dan Evans in straight sets on Friday, put up some resistance early but tired badly in the second set and Murray coasted away to clinch the win that puts Britain back among the elite of world tennis.
In Tokyo, world No.12 Kei Nishikori banished his US Open demons to propel Japan back into the World Group with a 3-2 comeback victory over Colombia on Sunday.
Nishikori rediscovered his mojo after a shock first-round exit in New York, showing the kind of form which swept him to the Japan Open title a year ago as he overpowered Santiago Giraldo 6-1 6-2 6-4 to level the tie for the home team.
Teammate Go Soeda held his nerve to beat Alejandro Falla 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-3, triggering wild celebrations in Tokyo.
Ripping winners from all over the court, Nishikori ran Giraldo ragged as he tore through the first two sets in just 56 minutes.
A blistering forehand down the line gave Nishikori the crucial break for 4-3 in the third and, while Giraldo showed late resistance in saving four match points, it proved too little too late and set the stage for Soeda.
“I got my rhythm back,” said Nishikori, who won his third ATP Tour title in Memphis earlier this year. “In Davis Cup, you have to sort of force yourself to be up for it and it’s really helped me get re-motivated.”
Soeda, ranked 123rd in the world, produced an even more impressive performance.
Having dropped the first set, Soeda caught fire at the end of the third and, after completing victory with a fierce forehand down the line, was mobbed by his teammates to the deafening roars of a packed crowd.
“I’ve never played in an atmosphere like that with so many people,” said Soeda.
“I watched a yakuza (gangster) movie last night to fire myself up,” he added with a sheepish grin. “To give me the stubbornness not to lose and help me become more of a nasty character.”
Japan had returned to the top level for the first time in 27 years, only to be eliminated by Israel last year.
“These players deserve to be on the world stage,” said Japanese captain Minoru Ueda. “I had faith Soeda could pull this off.”