Chinese number two Peng Shuai upset Virginie Razzano 4-6 6-3 6-4 to leave the home team needing to win only one of Sunday's three rubbers to secure their place in the semi-finals.

"The match is not finished for us... I still think we can win three ties tomorrow," defiant French captain Georges Goven said.

On the outskirts of Tel Aviv, world number 17 Peer was initially overcome by the occasion of playing in front of her home fans for the first time and looked to be heading for an embarrassing defeat.

But just when it seemed Safina could barely put a foot wrong with her baseline tactics, Peer was inspired by the roaring crowd packed into the Israel Tennis Centre and unleashed her full repertoire of shots to carve out the win.

"This was perhaps my sweetest comeback, I saw the crowd who had all come to watch us and I know that I could not let them down," Peer said.

Sharapova blocked out the deafening cheers for Obziler to keep up her unbeaten run in 2008.

"I love it... it actually gives me energy, as an athlete this is what I play for and it drives me to do better," the 20-year-old said.

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