Johanna Konta kept her nerve to subdue Anna Bondar of Hungary, ranked 224 in the world, in three sets and take Great Britain into Saturday’s Fed Cup play-off against Serbia.
Konta, Britain’s No 1, won 6-2, 6-7 (1), 7-6 (4) to give the home side a winning 2-0 lead after Katie Boulter’s three-set defeat of Dalma Galfi in the opening singles at the University of Bath.
The winners of Saturday’s play-off in the Fed Cup Europe/Africa Zone Group 1 will win a place in the World Group II play-off in April.
Konta, ranked 39 in the world, was pushed all the way by Bondar before claiming victory on her first match point.
“I am very fortunate to have come through that,” Konta said. “I think it was my experience which got me through. That was just another incredible match after Katie’s.
“I am just happy I followed on from Katie as she is doing incredibly well. It is another opportunity we have given ourselves and we will go into tomorrow and put it all out there like we have done so far.”
Boulter, after leading 5-1 in the opening set, was made to fight all the way by a player 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, she battled back to win 6-4, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (1).