History was made on Saturday afternoon as Israel reached the Davis Cup semi-finals for the first time after Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich won a five-set thriller in the doubles to cement victory over Russia at the Nokia Arena.

With Harel Levy and Dudi Sela having won their respective singles' rubbers on Friday, it was left to Ram and Erlich, playing together for the first time in months, to seal a victory to give Israel an unassailable 3-0 lead.

The dynamic duo raced into a 2-0 lead. The Russians hit back to level the match but, cheered on by a passionate crowd, Ram and Erlich made the all-important break 5-4 up in the fifth to send the arena wild.

Ram broke down in tears at the end before a rendition of Hatikva.

"I have to thank the team for all the remarkable work they have done," said Ram later.

Israel will face either Spain or Germany in the last four in September.