Watch reaction from Judy Murray after the defeat to Belarus
The Aegon GB Fed Cup Team ran into a strong Belarus side as they failed to reach the World Group II play-offs.
Belarus, aided by being able to call on former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka, proved too strong for Judy Murray’s girls to record a 2-0 win in Budapest.
After a stunning 3-0 win over Ukraine to force the tie with Belarus, it was not to be as both Johanna Konta and Heather Watson fell to straight sets defeats.
Konta came up against the inform Olga Govortsova and won only one game in the 6-0, 6-1 loss to ensure Govortsova won all four of her matches in the week.
Judy Murray & Jo Konta by Getty Images
Azarenka endured an injury-hit 2014 but could call on her four previous meetings with Watson where she prevailed without losing a set.
The two-time Australian Open winner raced to a 3-0 lead but ended up winning the tight first set 6-4.
In the second, Azarenka broke to take a 3-1 lead and raced home to win the next three games and seal the win for her country 6-4, 6-1.
Heather Watson by Getty Images
The team will have to wait another 12 months before being able to compete in the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas again and are still looking for their first home tie since 1993.
Quotes from the captain:
Judy Murray said: “It was very disappointing for us after such a good day yesterday and everyone played so well with huge team spirit and desire to get into the play-off.
“Today just didn’t happen for us. In the first match Jo just couldn’t find her form at all but Olga Govortsova played incredibly well and made it very difficult for Jo to get into the match but she was well below her best sadly for her and for us.
“Heather was up against one of the best payers in the world and I thought she got closer than the score probably suggested but maybe wasn’t quite as consistent as she needed to be to break down that level of player.
“It is all over for us for another year and we have 12 months to try and help the girls improve and get ready to come back and challenge for this zone again.
“One of the real plusses for me this year was being able to bring a doubles team with us this year for the first time. They have been working very hard for the last year and broken into the top 100.
“The won three matches here and the match they won yesterday against Ukraine was a huge win for the girls and also the team which is a big positive and it is onwards and upwards."
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