Belgium win to stay in World Group

Belgium win both the reverse singles to defeat Australia 3-2 to retain their place in the 2011 Davis Cup World Group.


Afp September 21, 2010

CAIRNS: Belgium won both the reverse singles to defeat Australia 3-2 to retain their place in the 2011 Davis Cup World Group. The 117th-ranked Steve Darcis overcame Australian Carsten Ball, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-4 in the fifth and deciding singles rubber in two hours 23 minutes, to hand the Belgians victory after they trailed 2-1 following their doubles loss on Saturday.

The stage was set for Belgium’s comeback when Olivier Rochus held out Peter Luczak 7-6 (10/8), 6-4, 6-7 (0/7), 7-6 (7/2) in almost four and a half hours earlier.

World number 126 Luczak was a replacement for former world number one Lleyton Hewitt, who injured his hand while playing in Saturday’s doubles.

Meanwhile, Darcis praised world number 79 Rochus, who won both his singles rubbers, including his epic victory over Luczak.

“This is a very proud moment. We never expected to beat Australia in Australia,” said Darcis.

“But I have to say thank you to Ollie. We couldn’t have done it without him.”

Belgium were forced into the playoff after a 4-1 home defeat to the Czech Republic in the World Group first round in Bree.

Australia, the 28-time champion and second only to the US in Davis Cup wins, will next year have to play in the Asia-Oceania group once again.

It was the first time Australia had lost a Davis Cup tie on hardcourt since 2004.

The playoff went into a fourth day after rain ruined Sunday’s schedule and forced the Rochus-Luczak match to resume at 4-4 in the first set.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2010.

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