Elena Baltacha kept British hopes alive as she beat Michaella Krajicek in straight sets in their Fed Cup clash against Netherlands.

34439 - Baltacha keeps Fed Cup tie alive

Judy Murray's team need to win their group at the Euro/Africa Zone I tie in Israel if they are to qualify for the World Group play-offs, and Baltacha salvaged the tie after Anne Keothaong's opening defeat.

The British team, who gave Murray a winning start to life as captain with a 3-0 whitewash against Portugal on Wednesday, suffered their first defeat in Eilat as Keothavong fell to Dutch No. 3 Bibiane Schoofs.

Keothavong, who won the pair's only previous meeting in straight sets last year, rallied after dropping the opening set, but despite forcing the match to a decider was unable to clinch the victory against the world No. 154.

Needing to win her singles rubber to avoid defeat, British No. 1 Baltacha battled from a break down in the second set to claim a 6-3 6-3 victory over the former world No. 30.

It was Baltacha's 30th victory in the Fed Cup, handing responsibilities to youngsters Laura Robson and Heather Watson to win their decisive doubles rubber against Schoofs and Kiki Bertens.