Hicham Arazi booked Morocco a place in next year's Davis Cup World Group after he shunted aside Britain's Greg Rusedski 5-7 7-5 7-6 7-6 in the deciding rubber of their play-off tie today.
With the match suspended on Sunday because of fading light after Arazi had taken the third set, the Moroccan proved his claycourt mastery to give his country a 3-2 win and relegate Britain into the zonal competition in 2004.
The victory promoted Morocco to the World Group for only the third time.
"It was my best Davis Cup match and I was up against a very strong opponent," said a jubilant Arazi.
"Maybe it was also easier for me to play today as I was one set ahead.
The British duo of Tim Henman and Rusedski had rebounded from a 2-0 first-day deficit to draw level at 2-2 by close of play on Sunday.
But in the end, Rusedski simply wilted in the heat on the slow red clay, leaving Britain with the prospect of having to fight their way back into the top flight next season.
Rusedski had the better start in the fourth set as he charged into a 4-2 lead but he failed to hold on to the advantage, Arazi clawing his way back with a break in the eighth game.
Although the British number two managed to hang on to take the set into a tie-break, Arazi always appeared to be the likely winner against his tiring opponent.
A sublime angled drop shot from Arazi secured the win and lifted Morocco back in the elite 16-team World Group.