Ram and Erlich celebrate a crucial point in their doubles match

Israel reached the Davis Cup semi-finals for the first time with a surprise 4-1 win over much-fancied Russia in Tel Aviv.

Taking an unassailable 3-0 lead into the final day, Israel saw Dudi Sela retire with a hand injury in the first set against Igor Andreev.

But Harel Levy ended the match on a high for Israel as he saw off Igor Kunitsyn 6-4 4-6 7-6 (7-2).

"This is your victory," Levy told an ecstatic sold-out crowd.

"This is a lovely feeling because this was a great victory for all the national team together.

"I played under much less pressure and played some good tennis."

606: DEBATE The Israeli players fully deserved their victory with some quality tennis Addicktum

Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich sealed the win in the doubles on Saturday.

Ram and Erlich battled to a 6-3 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 4-6 6-4 over Marat Safin and Igor Kunitsyn

On Friday, world number 210 Harle Levy beat Igor Andreev, ranked 24 in the world, 6-4 6-2 4-6 6-2.

And Dudi Sela beat Mikhail Youzhny 3-6 6-1 6-0 7-5 in front of 10,500 fans.

"I have to thank the team for all the remarkable work they have done," said Israel captain Eyal Ran.

Israel will face either Spain in the last four in September.

Russia had made it to the semi-finals for the past five years, and won the cup in 2002 and 2006.

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