INTERNATIONAL NEWS - South Africa made a disappointing start to their Fed Cup Euro Africa Group 1 campaign in Israel as they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Georgia in their Pool-B match on Wednesday.

The results means that South Africa has to beat the fancied Great Britain team on Thursday to ensure they gain promotion.

Madrie Le Roux, the South African number 2, lost to Georgia number 1, Ekaterine Gergodze 3-6 1-6 in a rubber that lasted 18 minutes short of two hours.

Then it was the turn of South African No 1, Chanel Simmonds against Georgia No 2 Sophia Shapatava.

Ranked some 100 places higher than her opponent at 226, Shapatava played smartly and consistently to beat Simmonds 7-5 6-4 – the victory secured her side the tie win.

In the dead doubles rubber, Ekaterine Gergodze returned to court and together with Keteryna Bondarenko to beat South Africa’s Illze Hattingh and Michelle Sammons 6-4 7-6 (6) which gave Georgia the clean sweep.

On Thursday South Africa play a strong Great Britain who is captained by Judy Murray, mother of Andy Murray.

Results, singles:
Ekaterine Gorgodze (Geo) bt Madrie Le Roux (RSA) 6-3 6-1, Sofia Shapatava (Geo) bt Chanel Simmonds (RSA) 7-5 6-4