Sweden script stunning victory

PARIS, April 6: Davis Cup holders Sweden pulled off an amazing comeback in their World Group first round tie against Slovakia coming from 0-...

PARIS, April 6: Davis Cup holders Sweden pulled off an amazing comeback in their World Group first round tie against Slovakia coming from 0-2 down to win it 3-2, Magnus Gustaffson replacing Mikael Tillstrom to beat Dominik Hrbaty in four sets. The Swedes will now play Germany in the quarter-finals after the Germans thrashed South Africa 5-0.

Elsewhere, Spain held their nerve to beat Brazil 3-2 in the fiery atmosphere of Porto Alegre and Marc Rosset inspired 1992 Davis Cup finalists Switzerland almost single-handedly to a 3-2 win over the Czech Republic.

Belgium clinched the Low Countries Derby against The Netherlands with Christophe Van Garsse of Belgium winning the decider after a gruelling five-set win over Sjeng Schalken. The remaining first round match spilt over to Monday with the United States winning their doubles to take a 2-1 lead into the final singles rubbers over Russia. The Swedes produced a brave and gutsy performance to eliminate the Slovakians, who had looked to have the upper hand asthey fielded Australian Open runner-up Karol Kucera and promising youngster Dominik Hrbaty while the visitors lost Thomas Enqvist and Jonas Bjorkman before the match had started.

The Scandinavians, though, rebounded from going 2-0 down on the first day and gained the crucial psychological advantage when Magnus Norman defeated Kucera in five hard-fought sets in Sunday8217;s first rubber, with the Swede8217;s powerful first service and superb cross court shots finally sealing the Slovakian No.18217;s fate.

The 31-year-old Gustafsson, who was the oldest player to win on the ATP circuit last year then wrapped it up against Hrbaty, taking the fourth set tiebreaker 7-4 and raising his Davis Cup singles record to 8-2. Spain moved into a quarter-final meeting with Switzerland as Carlos Moya and Alex Corretja won both the singles on Sunday to dampen the spirits of the Brazilian home support.

Corretja was Spain8217;s hero and Brazil8217;s villain as he beat their French Open hero Gustavo Kuerten in four sets in Sunday8217;s openingrubber. Moya then wrapped things up with a straight sets win over Fernando Meligeni.

RESULTS

Spain 3 Brazil 2

Reverse singles: Alex Corretja Spa bt Gustavo Kuerten Bra 6-3, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4; Carlos Moya Spa bt Fernando Meligeni Bra 7-6 7/4, 6-2, 6-2Slovakia 2 Sweden 3

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Reverse singles: Magnus Gustafsson Swe bt Dominik Hrbaty Svk 6-2, 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 7/4; Magnus Norman Swe bt Karol Kucera Svk 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Germany 5 South Africa 0

Reverse singles: David Prinosil Ger bt Wayne Ferreira Rsa 6-4, 6-7 4/7, 7-6 7/4; Thomas Haas Ger bt Grant Stafford Rsa 6-1, 7-6 7/4.Switzerland 3 Czech Republic 2

Reverse singles: Marc Rosset Swi bt Bohdan Ulihrach Cze 6-4, 7-5, 7-5; Martin Damm Cze bt Ivo Heuberger Swi 7-6 7/3, 5-7, 7-6 7/5.

USA 2 Russia 1

Doubles: Todd Martin/Richey Reneberg USA bt Yevgeny Kafelnikov/Marat Safin Rus 7-6 7/3, 6-1, 2-6, 6-1

Belgium 3 Netherlands 2

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Doubles: Jacco Eltingh/Jan SiemerinkNed bt Libor Pimek/Filip Dewulf Bel 6-1, 6-4, 6-4; Reverse singles: Filip Dewulf Bel bt John van Lottum Ned 6-4, 6-0, 6-4; Christophe Van Garsse Bel bt Sjeng Schalken Ned 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-3.