Great Britain can look forward to their biggest Davis Cup match for more than a quarter of a century after Andy Murray clinched a memorable victory over the United States.
The Wimbledon champion defeated Sam Querrey 7-6 (7/5) 6-7 (3/7) 6-1 6-3 on clay in San Diego to give Britain an unassailable 3-1 lead and a place in the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986.
Their reward is another away tie, this time against Italy, who are sure to choose clay for the clash in early April.
Murray celebrates breaking serve in the fourth set en route to his victory
That will be another uphill task for Britain, with Italy boasting top-35 duo Fabio Fognini and Andreas Seppi.
The sides have met 15 times before, Italy winning 11 of them, while Britain's only victory on Italian soil came in 1926 in Rome.
Murray has stated his intention to take part in all the ties, fitness permitting, and playing on clay in April should suit him well given he will be building up to the European clay-court season.
He told the BBC: "It's good for me to play on the clay. Often going into the clay season I haven't played any matches on it for 11 months. It'll be a tough match."
GB make Davis Cup QFs
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(01 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain is hugged by team mate James Ward after his four set victory against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(02 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates breaking serve in the fourth set against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(03 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Great Britain's Davis Cup team L-R Colin Fleming,Dominic Inglot,James Ward,Andy Murray and capotain Leon Smith celebrate their 3-1 victory against of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(04 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Great Britain's Davis Cup team L-R Colin Fleming,Dominic Inglot,James Ward,Andy Murray and capotain Leon Smith celebrate their 3-1 victory against of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(05 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain serves against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(06 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain serves against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(07 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates match point against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(08 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates breaking serve in the fourth set against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(09 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates match point against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(10 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates breaking serve in the fourth set against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(11 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates match point against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(12 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain runs in to play a forehand volley against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(13 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain shows his frustrations against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(14 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain leaps into the air to play a forehand volley against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(15 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain leaps into the air to play a forehand volley against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(16 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain shows his frustrations against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(17 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain runs in to play a forehand volley against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(18 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain runs in to play a forehand volley against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(19 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain runs in to play a backhand volley against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(20 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain throws his wrist bands to the crowd after his four set victory against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(21 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain plays a backhand volley against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(22 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain runs in to play a backhand volley against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(23 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain runs in to play a backhand against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(24 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain shakes hands at the net after his four set victory against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(25 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain shows his frustrations against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(26 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain is hugged by team mates Dominic Inglot,James Ward and Kyle Edmund after his four set victory against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(27 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain jumps into the air to play a backhand against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(28 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain is hugged by team mate Dominic Inglot after his four set victory against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Davis Cup San Diego - Day 3(29 of29)
SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Andy Murray of Great Britain shakes hands with United States captain Jim Courier after his four set victory against Sam Querrey of the United States during day three of the Davis Cup World Group first round between the U.S. and Great Britain at PETCO Park on February 2, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Murray extended his winning streak in Davis Cup singles matches to 17 by beating Querrey, but this tie is the first time he has played at the elite level of the competition.
The crucial victory came not from the Scot, though, but from world number 175 James Ward, who stunned Querrey in five sets on Friday.