The Australian Davis Cup team sank to an all-time low on Sunday as they lost a World Group playoff to Chile in Antofagasta.

The inexperienced Australian team folded 3-2 to the Chileans on the clay courts of Antofagasta, with Fernando Gonzalez sealing his team’s victory with a 7-6 (7-3), 7-5, 6-3 victory over Chris Guccione in the fourth rubber.

In the final rubber the Australians were left fighting for pride, which Carsten Ball salvaged by defeating Paul Capdeville 6-3, 7-6 (7-3). The result of the playoff tie consigns Australia to the Oceania/Asia zone for the next season.

“It’s tough to return to the zonal groups, but next year will be another chance to fight back from down there and try to return to the World Group,” Guccione said after his defeat to Gonzalez.

Meanwhile, in the world group playoffs, Romania held onto their World Group position by defeating the troubled Indian Davis Cup team 4-1 in Bucharest. Romania will be joined in the World Group by the Netherlands, who defeated Korea 3-2 in Apeldoorn.

World Group playoffs this weekend also saw Switzerland, Croatia, Israel and Serbia secure their places in the Davis Cup’s elite group for the next season.