DUSSELDORF (Germany), May 21: Both Germany and Argentina top their respective groups after winning their opening World Team Cup championship matches in Dusseldorf’s week-long tournament which started on Sunday.

With world number 11 Tommy Haas missing from the Germany team, Philipp Kohlschreiber defeated Belgium’s Olivier Rochus 6-3, 1-6, 6-1 and Florian Mayer beat Kristof Vliegen 6-3, 6-4.

The two singles wins meant Germany had won their Blue group match before Alexander Waske and Michael Kohlmann’s 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 doubles win over Olivier Rochus and Steve Darcis wrapped up the 3-0 win over Belgium.

The Germans will now play their second game on Wednesday against the winner of Spain and Czech Republic match.

In the day’s other tie, Argentina beat Sweden 2-1 in the Red group. After the singles ended with one win each, the doubles match was the decisive game.

Robin Soederling gave Sweden a win with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Argentina’s number one Juan Ignacio Chela, but the second game was a hard fought tie with former Swedish champion Jonas Bjoerkman losing 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 to Jose Acasuso.

In the decisive third game, Argentina’s Juan Ignacio Chela and Agustin Calleri beat Sweden’s Jonas Bjorkman and Thomas Johansson 6-4, 4-6, 10-6 with a tie-break deciding the outcome.

Results:

Germany beat Belgium 3-0: Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) bt Olivier Rochus (BEL) 6-3, 1-6, 6-1; Florian Mayer (GER) bt Kristof Vliegen (BEL) 6-3, 6-4; Alexander Waske/Michael Kohlmann (GER) bt Olivier Rochus/Steve Darcis (BEL) 7-6 (7/4), 7-5.

Argentina beat Sweden 2-1: Robin Seoderling (SWE) bt Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) 6-1, 6-4; Jose Acasuso (ARG) bt Jonas Bjoerkman (SWE) 6-7(7/3), 7-6(9/7), 6-4; Juan Ignacio Chela/Agustin Calleri (ARG) bt Jonas Bjorkman/Thomas Johansson (SWE) 6-4, 4-6, 10-6. —AFP