USA keep hopes alive
Date published :
07 Mar 2010 - 07:31:30
USA kept their hopes of Davis Cup victory against Serbia alive with a crucial doubles win in the World Group tie in Belgrade.
The Americans had a terrible first day, with John Isner losing to Victor Troicki and Novak Djokovic beating Sam Querrey.
That put the pressure on Saturday's rubber, and for once they could not rely on renowned pair Bob and Mike Bryan.
Mike was absent with food poisoning so Bob teamed up with 6ft 9in Isner against doubles specialist Nenad Zimonjic and Janko Tipsarevic for the hosts and in a very tight clash, the visitors came out on top in lengthy tie-breaks in the first and third sets and that ultimately proved crucial in a 7-6 (10/8) 5-7 7-6 (10/8) 6-3 victory.
In contrast, France gave notice of their intent by taking an unassailable 3-0 lead against Germany in Toulon.
Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra wobbled in the third set against Christopher Kas and Philipp Kohlschreiber but recovered to triumph 6-1 6-4 1-6 7-5.
France will play either defending champions Spain or Switzerland in the quarter-finals, and it was Albert Costa's team that gained the ascendancy.
A shock looked on the cards when Stanislas Wawrinka beat Nicolas Almagro on Friday but David Ferrer levelled the tie and on Saturday Marcel Granollers and Tommy Robredo beat Yves Allegro and Wawrinka 7-6 (10/8) 6-2 4-6 6-4 in Logrono.
David Nalbandian's last-gasp trip to Stockholm paid dividends as Argentina opened up a 2-1 lead over Sweden.
The Czech Republic secured victory over Belgium without dropping a set as Friday's singles winners Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek teamed up to defeat Steve Darcis and Olivier Rochus 7-6 (7/0) 6-0 6-3.
