Johanna Konta picked herself up off the floor – literally – to beat Aleksandra Krunic 7-6(1) 3-6 6-2 to seal a 2-0 victory for Great Britain over Serbia.
The Brit, 27, won the third set after an extraordinary moment between sets when she fell to the ground on the walkway leading to the court and looked very unwell.
For a time it seemed like she would not continue, and the BT sport commentators speculated about who would take part in the decisive doubles.
However, Konta returned and somehow managed to play good enough tennis to win the decider 6-2.
“I’m feeling pretty rubbish but it’s okay,” the British No.1 said in her on-court interview. “Honestly, the only thought I had was that if it was me out here then it would be another obstacle (for Krunic).”
“I had to make sure she had to win it. I had to understand my limitations quickly and try to bring the most out of myself with what I had.”
Konta continued, “I zoned in on looking at the ball which enabled me to strike it and place it where I wanted to.”
When the Brit went down a break early in the first set, it looked like she might have to mount another comeback and win in three sets.
However, she quickly put a stop to that kind of thinking by breaking back in game four and then trading blows with Krunic for the rest of a very even first set.
It concluded with four consecutive breaks of serve and a brilliant tie-break from Konta when she did everything right to win it 7-1.
The second set was closely-fought once again until the Brit visibly started to struggle from 3-3 onwards. She eventually lost it 6-3 and it soon became obvious that she was exhausted.
Boulter produces a classy display to beat Jorovic
Katie Boulter continued her perfect start to her Fed Cup career with an excellent performance to beat Ivana Jorovic 6-4 6-3.
The Brit, 22, played aggressively from the start as she sought to avoid another lengthy three-set encounter after competing in long matches on both of the last two days.
And her approach worked wonders as she stormed into a 3-0 lead courtesy of two breaks of Jorovic’s serve.
The Serb fought her way into it by getting one of the breaks back and then trading breaks with Boulter, but the Brit served well after that and wrapped up the set 6-4.
It was a closer contest for much of the second set and the scores were level after six games. But the World No.83 then found another gear and won the next three games – despite obvious fatigue – through a potent combination of big-hitting and determination to clinch victory.
“Oh my God, I’m close to tears right now,” Boulter said in her on-court interview. “It’s been a really long week.”
“I knew this match would be really tough. I grew up with Ivana so I knew she was a very good player and I was going to have to bring some of my best game out.”
The Brit continued, “It means everything and so much more (to win four matches for my team). I put everything on the court and so much heart. It means so much to me.”
“I spent a long time off the court (due to illness) and it made me realise how much I love the game. If you stick at something and do the best you can, I think literally anything is possible.”
Captain Anne Keothavong pays tribute to her stars and the fans
“It has been an unforgettable week,” Keothavong said in an on-court interview. “Everyone has made it so special for the team.”
“The guts, the courage by Jo and Katie today… Physically, if I could tell you what’s going on behind the scenes!”
“These girls are so strong. I don’t know what to say. I’m just so proud.”
