The Katie Boulter and Johanna Konta show continued in the Fed Cup as they booked Great Britain's place in the Europe/Africa Zone Group 1 play-off against Serbia on Saturday.
The British pair both won their third successive singles match of the week in Bath to hand their country a victory in the winner-takes-all Pool A tie against Hungary.
They had to show all of their brilliant fighting spirit as they won three-set marathons, having both been a break down in the deciding sets.
Stunning way to win an incredible match by @JohannaKonta! We'll do it all again tomorrow and you can watch on @BritishTennis Facebook and with @btsport pic.twitter.com/Kpsanj8IUg
— British Tennis (@BritishTennis) February 8, 2019
Boulter had to battle hard past Dalma Galfi winning a deciding set tie-break, while Konta, who looked like she was going to enjoy a much easier affair against Anna Bondar, was faced with the same task as the hosts eventually won with a rubber to spare.
Despite their exertions over the last three days, illness to Heather Watson and the relative inexperience of Katie Swan and Harriet Dart means they are both now likely to again lead Anne Keothavong's side against Serbia on Saturday afternoon, where victory will earn them a spot in the World Group II play-off in April.
Boulter is particularly enjoying her role as leading lady as her Fed Cup singles career has got off to a brilliant start.
She took her record to 3-0 with a tense 6-4 6-7 (5) 7-6 (1) win over an opponent ranked 311 in the world.
She was a break down at 2-3 in the final set but after a period of reflection under her towel at the changeover, came out and battled back, eventually winning the deciding tiebreak in style.
"I think I was just trying to breathe," she said. "It was very difficult to keep my head straight and I just wanted to zone in again and put the towel on my head and focus on the floor a little bit and I thought I did well to bounce back from that.
"I am ready to get some rest! I sat here yesterday and said, 'I put everything into that' and I can tell you the same thing today.
"My whole heart I put on that line there and I did the absolute best I could and it was just about enough."
🇬🇧2⃣🆚0⃣ðŸ‡ðŸ‡º@JohannaKonta does it for Great Britain! The Brits will face off against Serbia tomorrow for a place in April's #FedCup World Group II play-offs! pic.twitter.com/Wb8BbeJUpy — Fed Cup (@FedCup) February 8, 2019
Konta was expected to dispatch Bondar, ranked 224 in the world, much easier, especially after she coasted to the first set.
But Bondar played some "lights out" tennis which left Konta needing a deciding-set tiebreak to win, eventually posting a 6-2 6-7 (1) 7-6 (4) success in two hours and 42 minutes.
Konta, who also played close to three hours on Thursday, said: "She played lights out for a big part of the match and it was hard to be end on receiving end of it.
"She didn't drop her level like I expected her to after a period of time. She realised she had nothing to lose and she brought her game and that was difficult to be the end of it, I am happy I was able to counter it and get through.
"The energy levels are as good as they can be."
