Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates winning a point against Ukraine's Sergiy Stakhovsky during their Davis Cup World Group playoff tennis tie in Madrid, Sept 13, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Like Murray, Nadal was playing in the Davis Cup for the first time in two years. Showing no sign of fatigue after his US Open exploits he was unstoppable, winning his singles against Sergiy Stakhovsky for the loss of four games and then partnering Marc Lopez to doubles victory.

Murray beat Ivan Dodig 6-4 6-2 6-4 to give Britain a 3-1 lead and put them in next week's draw for the World Group.

"I'm looking forward to playing against some of the biggest countries in the world it will be exciting and hopefully I can be part of it," Wimbledon champion Murray told Eurosport.

Switzerland and the Netherlands beat Ecuador and Austria respectively in their playoffs while Germany beat Brazil and Australia ended Poland's hopes of a first World Group appearance with a 4-1 victory in Warsaw.

Belgium and Japan were the weekend's other playoff winners.