Novak Djokovic outlasted British No. 1 Greg Rusedski 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(8) in the fourth rubber to lift Serbia-Montenegro over Great Britain in Davis Cup Europe/Africa Zone I, second-round action.
"I thought Greg played an outstanding match, you couldn't ask for anyone to give you any more," Britain captain Jeremy Bates said. "But all credit to Djokovic some of the shots he came up with were superhuman."
The final score of the tie was 3-2 after Arvind Parmar defeated Ilija Bozoljac 7-5, 6-4 in the fifth rubber for protocol only.
The win sends the young Serbian squad, which topped Israel 4-1 in February, into the world group playoffs.
Israel will travel to Britain for a relegation-round tie on July 21-23. The winning side will remain in Europe/Africa Zone I for another year, and the losing team will face Ukraine in September in a do-or-die tie to avoid falling to Zone II.
Great Britain defeated Israel 3-2 last March in Ramat Hasharon.
