Great Britain set up a Fed Cup play-off against Austria by thrashing Israel 3-0 in their final Europe/Africa Group I pool match in Eilat.
Judy Murray’s team finished top in their pool after beating Portugal and the Netherlands earlier in the competition.
British number two Anne Keothavong got the day off to the perfect start by easing to a 6-2 6-1 victory over Julia Glushko. It was Keothavong’s 19th Fed Cup singles win, leaving only Virginia Wade ahead of her on the British all-time list. Fans of Betfair tennis betting will have been impressed by her efforts.
Elena Baltacha then saw off Shahar Peer 6-4 6-3, her task being made easier when the Israeli player picked up an injury that allowed the British number one to win the last six games.
The doubles pairing of Heather Watson and Laura Robson then completed the whitewash with an easy 6-2 6-1 victory over Glushko and Keren Shlomo. People betting online will have not have been surprised by the result.
Captain Murray said after the victory: “(The team) showed some fantastic competitive spirit and have done tremendously well to get through as group winners.
“We were all delighted, and it definitely showed at the end of Bally’s match when it all got very emotional. The way the matches have worked, everybody is feeling fresh and lively and we are very much looking forward to facing Austria.”
If they beat Austria, GB will progress to April’s World Group II promotion play-offs when a place in the tournament’s second tier in 2013 would be up for grabs.
Austria will provide tough competition though as they have the world number 48 Tamira Paszek in their team while Patricia Mayr-Achleitner is also ranked in the top 100 in singles.
