Israel overwhelms Sweden

Israel’s Davis Cup team secured its Group I status for another year on Saturday, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead over Sweden at Ramat Hasharon with one day to spare.

Yoni Erlich and Dudi Sela clinched the win in the Group I second round playoff tie with a 6-4, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-1 victory over Isak Arvidsson and Johan Brunstrom in the doubles match.

Amir Weintraub and Dudi Sela gave the blue-and-white a 2-0 lead after the first day of action on Friday, with both winning in straight sets.

Israel, which avoided dropping to Group II for the first time since 2001, will visit Portugal in the first round of Group I next February.

Israel has won the last three ties it has hosted in the country, not losing at home since falling to Canada in the World Group playoffs in September 2011.