Great Britain has sealed a 3-2 win over Russia on the final day of play in Coventry at the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Europe/Africa Zone Group I second round against Russia.
Dan Evans defeated Evgeny Donskoy 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 to secure Great Britain’s place in the 16-nation World Group Play-offs from September 13-15. Their opponents will be drawn April 10.
It is the first time since 1930 that Britain have won from trailing 2-0.
Speaking after the tie, Aegon GB Davis Cup Team Captain, Leon Smith said: "Thank you everybody for the great support. It just shows you that anything is possible. At the end of the day it was just two outstanding performances.
"Before the tie I genuinely knew we could cause an upset. If you put all the ingredients in the mix then anything's possible. We certainly believed today and on the practice courts this morning we knew we could do this. The atmosphere was fantastic too, we really enjoyed it here in Coventry."
Evans spoke after the match: "We did our analysis after Friday and I knew I could come to the net and win points. I like being there. I hit my forehand really well today too. "
Earlier in the day, James Ward defeated Dmitry Tursunov 6-4, 5-7, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to leave the tie to play for at 2-2.
Smith gave credit to both players, starting with Ward: "To beat Tursunov in five after what he did on Friday was excellent. And, of course, what Dan's come in and done was fantastic. He stuck to his game plan and executed it perfectly."
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