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Argentina outshine Sweden; Germany whitewash Belgium

Argentina's Jose Acasuso plays a backhand in his match against Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman during the World Team Cup at the Rochusclub in Duesseldorf, Germany, on Sunday. Photo: EPA

Jose Acasuso overcame blisters on his left foot and rallied from match point to beat Jonas Bjorkman, sparking Argentina to a 2-1 victory over Sweden on Sunday in the World Team Cup.

In the Blue Group, Germany swept Belgium 3-0 despite the withdrawal of the injured Tommy Haas.

After Robin Soderling gave Sweden the lead by beating Juan Ignacio Chela 6-1, 6-4, Bjorkman won the first set against Acasuso and had match point before netting a return.

blisters

Acasuso, who needed treatment for his blistering foot at the start of the second set, eventually evened the match on his fourth set point and then prevailed in the two-hour, 50-minute match 6-7 (3), 7-6 (7), 6-3.

Acasuso received more treatment for blisters before beginning the final set, but gained the advantage after three breaks of serve left him leading 2-1. Another break put him ahead 5-3 and he served out for victory.

Chela then paired with Augustin Calleri to win the doubles tie against Bjorkman and Thomas Johansson 6-4, 4-6, 10-6 and give Argentina the Red Group victory.

In the other contest, Philipp Kohlschreiber outlasted Olivier Rochus 6-3, 1-6, 6-1 and Florian Mayer defeated Kristof Vliegen 6-3, 6-4 to give Germany an easy win.

sweep

The hosts then completed their sweep when Michael Kohlmann and Alexander Waske combined to beat Rochus and Steve Darcis 7-6 (4), 7-5.

"The atmosphere is great and it's really fun to play here, but I had some highs and lows today," said Kohlschreiber, who assumed the No. 1 German designation in the absence of Haas.

"But in the end it was a really high level and I can happily go into the next matches," Kohlschreiber said.

The eight-nation field is split into two groups, with the winners of each group advancing to Saturday's final.

Argentina, Chile, Sweden and United States are in the Red Group, and Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany and Spain are in the Blue Group.
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