Agassi keeps US in contest

HARARE, FEBRUARY 6: World Number One Andre Agassi pulled the United States back into the World Group Davis Cup tennis first round clash on...

HARARE, FEBRUARY 6: World Number One Andre Agassi pulled the United States back into the World Group Davis Cup tennis first round clash on Sunday when he overcame Zimbabwean Byron Black 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 7-4 to level the tie 2-2.

All now depends on the outcome of the second reverse singles match between Byron8217;s younger brother Wayne and Davis Cup debutant Chris Woodruff.Agassi got a flying start winning the first set 6-2 after forcing the Zimbabwean Number One to work hard for his serves. He then stamped his authority early in the second set and broke Black in the second game.

Black put Agassi under pressure on all his serve games in the third set. It went to a tie break and Agassi conceded the early mini-break, but broke back immediately.
FRANCE ELIMINATED: Beaten finalists last year, France were eleminated from this year8217;s tournament as Brazil grabbed an unbeatable 3-0 lead in their tie in Florianapolis.

In Saturday8217;s doubles, Brazilian duo Gustavo Kuerten and Jaime Oncins defeated FrenchNumber One Cedric Pioline and Nicolas Escude in straight sets 6-4 6-4 6-4. Fernando Meligeni had given Brazil a flying start when he beat Pioline 7-5 5-7 4-6 6-1 6-4 in Friday8217;s singles, followed by local hero Kuerten who made it a double defeating Jerome Golmard 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-2. It was sweet revenge for the Brazilians who were eliminated 3-2 in last year8217;s quarter-finals by France.

Switzerland hold a shock 2-1 lead over defending champions Australia, courtesy a doubles victory by Roger Federer and Lorenzo Manta. Manta and Federer, who beat Mark Philippoussis in the opening singles on Friday, fought back to win 3-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 against Wayne Arthurs and Sandon Stolle.Brazil, Spain, Slovakia, Czechoslovakia, Germany and Russia have entered the quarter-finals.

Other results
At Ostrava: Czech bt Britain 3-1 Jiri Novak bt Tim Henman 6-4 6-2 6-2;
At Leipzig: Germany bt Netherlands 3-1 Tommy Haas bt Sjeng Schalken 6-2 6-2 6-3; David Prinosil amp; Marc-Kevin Goellner bt Paul Haarhuis amp;Jan Siemerink 4-6 6-3 7-63 6-3.