The RTF fought back from 1-0 down to beat France and qualify for the semi-finals of the new-look tournament at the O2 Arena.

Clara Burel had given France the lead in the decisive Group A tie as she earned a battling 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova, a surprise replacement for Daria Kasatkina.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova levelled the contest for the RTF by defeating Alize Cornet 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, leaving the doubles rubber to decide who claimed the group's sole available place in the next round.

The RTF sealed victory - and their passage into the last four - as Veronika Kudermetova and Liudmila Samsonova despatched Cornet and Burel 6-2, 6-1.

"We were like two tigers - nobody wanted to give each other anything and I think that's what matters, that is the point of the sport we are playing," said Pavlyuchenkova.

French captain Julien Benneteau - who had been bidding to continue his unbeaten run at the tournament, previously called the Fed Cup - said he was "disappointed" but "proud" of his team.

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