5–0 victory in Plzeň, Czech Republic. They had to defend the World Group membership against up-and-coming Russia headed by Yevgeny Kafelnikov (#5). The Hungarian team had been saved by a second zero defeat thanks to Sávolt Attila the newest player of the team, who won the fifth match (vs. former top ten Andrei Chesnokov) shortened to two won sets due to irreversible 4–0 Russian lead. It also marked the retirement of Sándor Noszály who lost in his final match partnering Gábor Köves to Kafelnikov/Olhovski. Thus Hungary was eliminated from the Group for the second time. Members Balázs Taróczy Sándor Noszály András Lányi László Markovits József Krocskó Róbert Machán Sándor Kiss Péter Szőke Gábor Köves Viktor Nagy János Benyik Attila Sávolt Recent years (1997–2017) Since then the Hungarians set several inhouse records such as Longest Tie Break (22 Points, 12/10 in favor of Hungary) in the fifth rubber of the 5–0 first round meeting with Monaco in 2001, the Longest Tie Duration (versus Luxembourg hallmarked by Gilles Müller) in a 2002 match-up, the Longest Winning Run in Ties between 2003–'04 (Estonia, Madagascar, Namibia, Lithuania), Longest Rubber Duration (4 Hours 31 Minutes during the 3–2 win over Bulgaria) in 2006 and the Most Decisive Victory in tie against Greece in 2008. Hungary was degraded to Group II in 1997 after being defeated by Ukraine 3–2. In 1999 they leveled up again but only for one year, in which they had two defeats to Andrei Pavel's Romania and Jarkko Nieminen's Finland. On 11 July 2010 Hungary avoided relegation against Macedonia from Europe/Africa Group II. In 2011 the team advanced to the play-off of Europe/Africa Group II after two successful ties against Cyprus and Belarus before failing to be promoted against Great Britain led by Andy Murray in singles and Fleming–Hutchins in doubles. In 2012 they were eliminated in the second round by Latvia who reversed the match after being 2–0 down with back to back victories by Ernest Gulbis and Andis Juška in doubles and in both singles in the second and third day. On 7 April 2013 Hungary relegated to Europe Zone Group III, after they defeated by Luxembourg. In 2017, Hungary returned to the world group by upsetting a strong Russian team 3–1, thus ending their 20 years absent in the top tier Members Kornél Bardóczky Gergely Kisgyörgy Attila Sávolt Sebő Kiss Gábor Köves Ádám Kellner Attila Balázs László Fonó György