Israel reaches first Davis Cup semifinal

Israel has reached its first Davis Cup semifinal by taking an unbelievable 3-0 lead over Russia.

Australian Open doubles champions Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich defeated Marat Safin and Igor Kunitsyn 6-3, 6-4, 6-7, 4-6, 6-4 to decide the best-of-five series.

“This is something I will cherish for all of my life,” said Erlich, who recently came back from a 10-month injury layoff.

A day earlier, Israel had taken a surprising 2-0 lead after Harvel Levy beat Igor Andreev and Dudi Sela rallied to defeat Mikhail Youzhny in the 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.

Now Israel will take on either Germany at home or Spain away in September.

(Via AP; Images by Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images)