Israel reaches Davis Cup semifinals after beating Russia in doubles

Israel secures Davis Cup win over Russia

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel has reached its first Davis Cup semifinal by taking an insurmountable 3-0 lead over Russia with a five-set win in the doubles match.

Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich defeated Marat Safin and Igor Kunitsyn 6-3, 6-4, 6-7, 4-6, 6-4 Saturday to decide the best-of-five series. Israel will take on either Germany at home or Spain away in September.

Israel had taken a surprising 2-0 lead after Harvel Levy beat Igor Andreev and Dudi Sela rallied to defeat Mikhai Youzhny in Friday’s singles matches.

Russia has won the Davis Cup twice — in 2002 and 2007 — and made it to the semifinals in each of the past five years.

Israel had reached the quarterfinals once before, losing to India in New Delhi in 1987.