Israel shocks Russia in Davis Cup

Israel in semi-finals thanks to sparkling show against the Russians while giant Americans keeps their hopes alive

Israel in semi-finals thanks to sparkling show against the Russians while giant Americans keeps their hopes alive

Israel reached the Davis Cup semi-finals for the first time on Saturday while 32-time champions USA kept their hopes of making the last four alive.

Israel stunned 2002 and 2006 champions Russia in Tel Aviv.

Israeli tennis player Andy Ram reacts as he plays with teammate Jonathan Erlich against Marat Safin and Igor Kunitsyn of Russia during their Davis Cup doubles quarter-final in Tel Aviv on Saturday. PIC/AFP

They took an unassailable 3-0 lead when Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram clinched the crucial point beating Igor Kunitsyn and Marat Safin 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 4-6, 6-4.

Israel will face either defending champions Spain or Germany in September's semi-finals while Russia suffered their earliest defeat in six years.

Captain Eyal Ran was carried shoulder-high around the Tel Aviv venue as he took the applause of the 10,000-strong crowd. "I have to thank the team for all the remarkable work they have done," said Ran.

Israel's previous best performance in the Davis Cup was in 1987 when they reached the quarter-finals only to lose to India.

On Friday, they had opened up a 2-0 lead when Harel Levy beat Igor Andreev 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 before Dudi Sela saw off Mikhail Youzhny 3-6, 6-1, 6-0, 7-5.

In Porec, meanwhile, World No 1 pair Bob and Mike Bryan kept the USA alive in their quarter-final against Croatia with a 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 doubles win over Roko Karanusic and Lovro Zovko.

Croatia still lead the tie 2-1 ahead of Sunday's reverse singles. Unlike Friday's marathon singles programme, which finished at one o'clock in the morning, Saturday's doubles lasted just 68 minutes.