Britain end Fed Cup campaign with defeat

Great Britain lost some valuable ranking points after being defeated by the Netherlands in their final Fed Cup game in Portugal.

Great Britain captain Nigel Sears' side had already failed to progress from the group stage after wins in Lisbon against Bosnia-Hercegovina and Belarus were followed by a defeat to Austria. However, despite their hopes of promotion from the Europe/Africa Zone to World Group II being ended, Fed Cup seeding points were still at stake against the Dutch.
Britain started well when Anne Keothavong defeated Chayenne Ewijk 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in the opening singles before Katie O'Brien was defeated 7-5 3-6 6-4 by Aranxta Rus. It came down to the doubles and O'Brien and Sarah Borwell were beaten 6-2 6-4 by Nicole Thyssen and Richel Hogenkamp.
"We came here with the intention to win the group and gain promotion," said Sears.
"We ended up finishing second in the group and, of course, without promotion, which means we're still in the same group, so from that perspective it wasn't mission achieved.
"In terms of the efforts that the girls put in, I think they all gave their very best. And we lost to a good team in Austria on the day.
"We'll just have to continue working at it and come back with an even stronger effort next year."