Pain against Ukraine for Peer and Glushko

Israel will play in Fed Cup Europe/Africa Zone Group I for an eighth consecutive year in 2017 after they lost 3-0 to Ukraine in Eilat.

Hosting a qualifying tournament, they secured top spot in Pool C following a 2-1 win over Croatia, but lost out on the World Group II play-offs when both Julia Glushko and Shahar Peer lost their singles matches.

Glushko said: “This was a very long week and I woke up feeling completely exhausted. Even though I feel a little sad now, I will try and take the positives from this week.”

Also feeling positive, despite defeat, Peer (pictured) said: “I end this week feeling much stronger and I’m going all the way in 2016. I will give my all and hopefully the coming weeks will go well. There is no doubt in my mind that I’m a good enough player to be ranked in the top 100.” Judy Murray’s Great Britain side finished a place below the Israelis in fourth spot.