Israel reached the Davis Cup semi-finals for the first time on Saturday after Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich gave them an unbeatable 3-0 lead over Russia in their World Group quarter-final.
Israel's experienced pairing of Ram and Erlich thrilled the home supporters to beat Russia's Marat Safin and Igor Kunitsyn 6-3, 6-4, 6-7, 4-6, 6-4 in the doubles.
The hosts took a surprise 2-0 lead in the opening singles on Friday when 210th-ranked Harel Levy upset the formbook to beat Igor Andreev 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 before Israeli number one Dudi Sela beat Mikhail Youzhny.
Israel will play the winners of the quarter-final tie between champions Spain and Germany from September 18 to 20.
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