DUSSELDORF, May 19: Davis Cup holders Australia and 2002 winners Argentina are set to play off for a place in the final of the 2.1-million-euro ATP world team cup after both countries won their matches on Wednesday.
Former Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt produced a gritty performance to defeat Dutchman Martin Verkerk keeping Australia on course for a place in the final. Hewitt, 23, was steamrolled 6-1 by Munich Open finalist Verkerk in an opening set that lasted just 22 minutes.
However Hewitt fought back to level the match winning the second set 7-6 (7/2) in the tie-break. In the decisive set Hewitt, roared on by Belgian girl friend and world number two Kim Clijsters, broke to go 6-5 up and held his nerve to serve out for the match at 7-5.
Aussie ace Mark Philippoussis, 27, needed an equally determined display to defeat Dutchman Sjeng Schalken 4-6, 7-6 (7/2) 7-5 to set up a showdown with Argentina. Holland have exited the competition without winning a singles match after losing 3-0 to Argentina in their first tie.
Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela continued his fine form to defeat American Vincent Spadea 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Mariano Zabaleta then made it a clean sweep for Argentina triumphing 6-7 (5/7) 6-3, 7-5 over Robby Ginepri of the United States. The 2002 victors from South America are the only team not to lose a match in the competition so far.
The single point available from the doubles matches is insignificant with Holland and the United States playing for pride. Hosts Germany and reigning champions Chile are fighting it out for a place in the final at the summit of the red group.
Meanwhile, Former French Open champion Albert Costa seems certain to play at Roland Garros next week after recovering from injury as he was named by Spain to face the Czech Republic in the World Team Cup on Thursday.
Costa, who won the French crown in 2002, limped out of his match against Chile's Nicolas Massu on Tuesday with a mystery injury that has been diagnosed as a tightening of the muscles in the upper left leg.
Results:
Blue Group:
Australia bt Netherlands 3-0 Lleyton Hewitt bt Martin Verkerk, 1-6, 7-6 (7-2), 7-5; Mark Philippoussis bt Sjeng Schalken 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 7-4; Wayne Arthurs-Paul Hanley bt John Van Lottum-Verkerk, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5).
Argentina bt US 2-1:
Juan Chela bt Vince Spadea 6-3, 3-6, 6-4; Mariano Zabaleta bt Robby Ginepri 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 7-5; Bob Bryan-Mike Bryan bt Lucas Arnold-Gaston Gaudio, 5-7, 6-1, 6-3.
Vienna WTA
VIENNA: Results from the third day of the US$170,000 WTA event on Wednesday:
Second Round: Marlene Weingartner (GER) bt Maria Vento-Kabchi (VEN) 6-1, 6-1; Margui Serna (SPA) bt Yvonne Meusburger (AUT) 6-1, 6-2; Alina Jidkova (RUS) bt Chanda Rubin (USA) 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (3/7), 6-4; Lubomira Kurhajcova (SVK) bt Zheng Jie (CHN) 6-4, 6-1; Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi (ISR) bt Klara Koukalova (CZE) 6-0, 6-1; Amy Frazier (USA) bt Nicole Pratt (AUS) 6-1, 6-2; Jelena Kostanic (CRO) bt Li Ting (CHN) 3-6, 6-2, 6-4; Alicia Molik (AUS) bt Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 7-6 (7/1), 6-3.
Strasbourg WTA
STRASBOURG: Collated results from the third day of the US$170,00 WTA tournament here on Wednesday:
Second Round: Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) bt Julia Vakulenko (UKR) 6-0, 6-0; Silvia Farina Elia (ITA) bt Anabel Medina Garrigues (SPA) 6-0, 3-6, 6-4; Milagros Sequera (VEN) bt Laura Granville (USA) 6-3, 6-2; Claudine Schaul (LUX) bt Tina Pisnik (SLO) 7-5, 6-2; Ai Sugiyama (JPN) bt Akiko Morigami (JPN) 1-6, 6-3, 6-2;Emilie Loit (FRA) bt Stephanie Cohen-Aloro (FRA) 6-1, 6-2; Barbora Strycova (CZE) bt Severine Beltrame (FRA) 6-4, 7-6 (7/2); Lindsay Davenport (USA) bt Marion Bartoli (FRA) 7-6 (7/5), 7-5. -Agencies
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