0
DUSSELDORF (Germany), May 23: Bob and Mike Bryan clinched first victory for the US in three years at the ATP World Team Championship on Tuesday, combining for a straight-set victory that toppled Argentina 2-1 while Chile won their second in as many days and eliminated Sweden.
James Blake rallied to beat Agustin Calleri 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 before Jose Acasuso defeated Mardy Fish 7-5, 6-4 to even the tie.
The Bryans, coming off their victory at the Hamburg Masters Series last week, then defeated Calleri and Juan Ignacio Chela 6-2, 6-1 to end the Americans’ eight-match losing streak at the prestigious team event.
The US, the four-time champions of the event but none since 1993, last won a tie at the World Team Championship when they beat the Netherlands in 2004.
Chile climbed to the top of the Red Group with a 2-0 victory over the Scandinavians.
Nicolas Massu lost only seven points in the final set to subdue Jonas Bjorkman 7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-0. Fernando Gonzalez clinched the win by beating Robin Soderling 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.
The victory improved Chile to 2-0 while Sweden fell to the bottom with their second loss in as many ties. The Americans and Argentines are tied for second with a 1-1 record.
Results (Red Group):
US bt Argentina 2-1: James Blake (US) bt Agustin Calleri (ARG) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4; Jose Acasuso (ARG) bt Mardy Fish (US) 7-5, 6-4; Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan (US) bt Agustin Calleri/Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) 6-2, 6-1.
Chile bt Sweden 2-0: Nicolas Massu (CHI) bt Jonas Bjorkman (SWE) 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), 6-0; Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) bt Robin Soderling (SWE) 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.—Agencies
