 |
ISRAEL 2-3 GREAT BRITAIN
|
Greg Rusedski completed an impressive Davis Cup win for Great Britain with victory over Israel's Noam Okun in the fourth rubber on Sunday.
Rusedski swept past Okun 6-3 6-4 6-2 to give Britain an unassailable 3-1 lead in Tel Aviv.
Harel Levy beat David Sherwood in the dead rubber 6-7 (1-7) 6-4 6-3.
The victory puts Jeremy Bates' team into September's World Group qualifiers, and just one win from returning to the event's elite level.
Rusedski paid tribute to debutants Andrew Murray and David Sherwood for their surprise doubles win on Saturday.
 |
It means everything to me and the team
|
"This is one of my proudest moments playing Davis Cup and it's really positive for the future the way Andy and David played," he told BBC Sport.
"I wanted to finish this off in the first match today and we're really thrilled.
"We've got a young team here. I thought it was spectacular yesterday the way Andrew and David came through to give us the point."
And the British number two admitted he had never felt under pressure from world number 153 Okun.
"It was pretty comfortable," said Rusedski. "I think it's being mentally strong.
"This is the Davis Cup and I'm expected to win easily, and if I hold my serve I'm not going to lose."
Team captain Bates was emotional after guiding his team to victory.
"It means everything to me and the team," he told BBC Sport. "It's a wonderful day for British tennis.
"Greg has led Friday and today, it was an unbelieveable performance. There was so much pressure on him.
"The way he finished that match was terrific."