GB's James Ward and Dan Evans see off Russia and make Davis Cup history

James Ward, the son of a London cab driver, and Dan Evans, a working-class rebel who is often a law unto himself, played inspired tennis on the final day of an enthralling Davis Cup tie against Russia in Coventry to give Great Britain an excellent chance of returning to the World Group for the first time in five years.

Their stirring performances in front of 2,700 fans in a chilly but packed hall in the football club's Ricoh Arena complex on Sunday – over Dmitry Tursunov and Evgeny Donskoy respectively – gave Great Britain a 3-2 win in the Euro/Africa Zone 1 Group and a place in the 16-team World Group play-offs in September.

Ward, 26, knew when he stepped on to the court that the last time Great Britain had come from 2-0 down to win a Davis Cup tie was 83 years ago against Germany on clay at Queen's – a fair lump of history with which to burden anyone. And although the Londoner has not always lived up to expectations, he put the past to one side, steadied himself to play the match of his life over three and a half hours and levelled the tie to give Evans, 22, his grab at glory in the evening.

Ward, thin and quiet with a gloomy mien, might look like the least threatening of street fighters but, as he moved into his eighth hour of tennis in three days, he had too much tiger for the one-time racket-basher Tursunov, now a seasoned pro with his own CV of injury, adversity and redemption.

On Friday Ward battled fruitlessly for three hours and 45 minutes against Donskoy, Russia's coming talent. On Sunday, in the first reverse singles, with Great Britain trailing 2-1 after the doubles success of Jonny Marray and Colin Fleming on Saturday, he again played quality tennis in a tight contest – and this time he surged to the line to win 6-4 ,5-7, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

In the evening match Evans – as glum of countenance as Ward – played way above his world ranking of 325 and, at the finish, was far more flamboyant than his team-mate, crushing Donskoy (80 in the world) 6-4, 6-4, 6-1, the last set a virtuoso exhibition of all his undoubted skills. If he can graft discipline and hard work to his talent, Evans can achieve great things.

His selection justified the faith of the team captain, Leon Smith, who preferred him over the more experienced Jamie Baker, and he conceded victory over the Russians would constitute "a big upset". they delivered for him in style.

"As soon as I hit the first ball, the nerves left me," Evans said. "On Friday I played well, so I knew I was there or thereabouts and we all deserved a bit of luck. I gave him no chances today."

Evans, whose heroics mirrored his Davis Cup performance against Slovakia a year ago, said he appreciates the attention and care of the squad environment. "I like to be looked after 24/7," he said, "and that's what happens here. There's no chance of me being distracted or whatever. But what I really want to do is get up the rankings, whatever anyone writes about me. As for my selection, it's always a tough job, and I am really grateful to Leon for having faith in me."

Did he reckon to be in the frame for September? "Well, I might get another call on the Tuesday before the tie."

When Ward banged down his 33rd ace – sliced wide at 110mph, as he had done throughout the match – he left the heavy-footed Tursunov rooted to the floor yet again. Smith embraced him, the crowd went crazy and Tursunov left the court in quiet fury, having received a warning for a gesture to the crowd, who booed him in the third set for questioning a line call.

"I knew about the record of 83 years," Ward said, "but this was a one-off, trying to stay in the tie. It would have been very tough to take two five-set losses in a weekend [he was two sets and 2-0 up against Donskoy]. But it could have happened. I was two sets to one down against a guy who has been 20 in the world, who I've lost to twice.

"The only time he was on top was in the third set but the rest of the time I felt pretty much in control. He didn't really read my wide serve, so I kept at it. I was thinking [at the end] he was going to stand over that side and bluff me going down the T, but he didn't, luckily."

In the coming weeks Ward will play in Savannah, China (if his visa arrives in time), the French Open, do his grass-court preparation for Wimbledon and, in idle moments, dream of Coventry, perhaps.

Evans? He, no doubt, will celebrate victory "down the tennis and squash club" with his mates, as he described his extra-curricular activities after losing on Friday. It is doubtful he will ever be a gym monkey – but he surely will find inspiration from this to take tennis seriously at last. It would be a waste of a fine talent if he did not.