GB women impress to seal Fed Cup play-off
Great Britain romped to a 3-0 victory against Israel in Eilat to win their Fed Cup Europe/Africa Zone Group I pool and secure a play-off.
Anne Keothavong began by beating Julia Glushko 6-2 6-1, a result which ensured Britain could not be caught by their rivals in the group.
But to add gloss to the result Elena Baltacha overcame the struggling Shahar Peer 6-4 6-3 before doubles pairing Laura Robson and Heather Watson crushed Glushko and Keren Shlomo 6-2 6-1.
"I was very pleased to come through against Shahar," said an emotional Baltacha afterwards, "especially to win the second set with six games on the trot was amazing. For me it showed what I am capable of and that’s really exciting. Once I’d won that match point, tears just came straight to my eyes, I had the biggest lump in my throat. But we’ve got one more to go, and we’re going to give it our absolute all.”
Next up for new coach Judy Murray's team is a clash against Austria - if GB win that, they compete in April's World Group II promotion play-offs, and escape the group where they have been stuck since 2005.
"The way the matches have worked, everybody is feeling fresh and lively and we are very much looking forward to facing Austria," Murray added.
"Coming into this competition, I had hoped that we could be in this position, competing in the play-offs, and we’re so close now.”
Comment 1 - 17 of 17
Comment 12 from aeronick2000: I must be a fool because I cannot see the connection between your comment and mine, please prove your vast intellect by explaining it?!
@ Comment 3. Your mentality explains why the UK is retrogressing. It would have been unheard of, for a UK company to lose out on an Aerospace contract, to the French. Too many fools like you about.
This is my little brother George. This is daddy pig. And this is mummy pig.
LMAOWRAOTF !!!
#12 ..I would have thought that you would win grand slams with your mouth.
lol biggest mouth opening I ever seen.
Hope she do well at here job as a coach
Rd comment 10 . I Remember Judy Murray ,as Judith Erskine ,over 30 years ago,but ,that was in the days when minor league players didnt recieve the publicity and huge sums of money they do today.Ive often seen Andy murray quoted in the press saying his mothers career suffered through lack of funding,this maybe so ,but she was never touted as a future great,I too questioned her credentials to lead the Fed team ,but lets face it Wade and jones had their turn ,Barker is too busy which brings us down a level Durie Hobbs Gomer and Croft ,no credentials as succesful coaches.But .look at what shes coaching ,she couldve worked in burger king all her life and be qualified to coach that lot,as good a choice as anybody when it comes down to it ,no getting away from the neopotism though ,which in the world of British tennis is not needed
Who the heck is Judy Murray? I know she's extreme choker Andy Murray's mommy but is hiring her the only way Andy would play? Parents as coaches doesn't work.
Well done!!!
It's great this success so far from a team that seem to have bonded well. This week so far has made up a little for AO R1 losses. Great for Judy as well. Wishing them all the best against Austria.
#5 niether are we , if it was not for Andy Murray GB tennis would never get a mention.
Well done GB team and well done Judy!!
Its a win but Israel is not a strong country.
Just goes to show what our girls can do when their noses are pointed in the right direction. Well done babes!!
Great result, although neither of our singles players is very British, one really being Thai and the other Ukrainian. Still, beggars can't be choosers.
Have you noticed that the same photo of Judy Murray is often used by yahoo!Sport when there is a news report about GB women's wins in the Fed Cup?
Garbage standard tennis.
Good result.
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