Australia captain Alicia Monk said a first Billie Jean King Cup since 1974 is “for the taking” after seeing off hosts Great Britain in a nail-biting finish to reach Sunday’s final against Switzerland.

The Brits had defied the odds with a whitewash of Spain on Thursday to reach the last four for the first time in 41 years in front of a home crowd in Glasgow.

But Australia’s experience paid off as the final doubles clash went to a champions tie-break won by Storm Sanders and Sam Stosur.

The seven-time winners missed out on the title in 2019, when they lost in front of a home crowd to France.

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“We’ve got the team to get through tomorrow,” said Monk.

“We’re still making up for the final we lost a couple of years ago, we know what that feels like. But we’re optimistic, we’re a team, we’ve got great support, so it’s ours for the taking.”

Sanders dampened the enthusiasm of the Glasgow crowd as she saw off Heather Watson 6-4 7-6 (7/3) to take the opening rubber.

But Harriet Dart followed up her victory over 13th-ranked Paula Badosa by upsetting world number 33 Ajla Tomljanovic 7-6 (7/3) 6-2 to take it to the wire.

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Doubles duo Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls have been the revelation of the week for the hosts on their international debut, but they were just unable to conjure a third victory, losing out 7-6 (7/1) 6-7 (5/7), 10-6.

“God we were close,” said British captain Anne Keothavong.

“I’m just gutted for everyone right now but also I think we have to try and keep things in perspective. What a fantastic week it really has been for the team.

Switzerland are aiming to go one better than losing last year’s final to Russia as the 11-time champion Czechs were humbled.

Viktorija Golubic saw off Karolina Muchova 6-4, 6-4 before Belinda Bencic won the battle of the number ones against Karolina Pliskova 6-2, 7-6 (8/6)