Israel beat Russia to reach semi-final

Andy Ram (L) and Jonathan Erlich of Israel celebrate a point against Russia's Marat Safin and Igor Kunitsyn during their Davis Cup World Group quarter-final doubles tennis match in Tel Aviv July 11, 2009.

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Israel reached the Davis Cup semi-finals for the first time on Saturday after Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich gave them an unbeatable 3-0 lead over Russia in their World Group quarter-final.

Israel's experienced pairing of Ram and Erlich thrilled the home supporters to beat Russia's Marat Safin and Igor Kunitsyn 6-3 6-4 6-7 4-6 6-4 in the doubles.

The hosts took a surprise 2-0 lead in the opening singles on Friday when 210th-ranked Harel Levy upset the formbook to beat Igor Andreev 6-4 6-2 4-6 6-2 before Israeli number one Dudi Sela beat Mikhail Youzhny.

Israel will play the winners of the quarter-final tie between champions Spain and Germany from September 18 to 20.

(Writing by Ori Lewis; editing by Pritha Sarkar)