GB
qualify, but Davis Cup champs Argentina must wait
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[February 06, 2017]
(Reuters) - Britain qualified
for the Davis Cup quarter-finals in bizarre circumstances on Sunday
but reigning champions Argentina must wait another day to decide the
outcome of their tie against Italy following an afternoon of rain
delays in Buenos Aires.
Briton Kyle Edmund was two sets to love up and leading 2-1 in the
third in the deciding match when his 17-year-old Canadian opponent
Denis Shapovalov tried to blast a ball into the stands in a fit of
rage.
However, the ball hit umpire Arnaud Gabas straight in the face and
although he iced his eye, he was unable to continue and he
disqualified Shapovalov.
"It was a strange way to finish," Edmund told the BBC. “I've never
been part of something like that."
"On paper I had an advantage but you don't play on paper, you play
on a hard court. Anything can happen in the Davis Cup so I'm very
pleased."
Defending champions Argentina must wait until Monday for the fifth
and final game of their match against Italy. Argentina had trailed
2-0 after the first day but won Sunday’s only rubber to level the
scores at 2-2.
Carlos Berlocq beat Paolo Lorenzi 4-6 6-4 6-1 3-6 6-3 in a match
twice halted for rain delays. The decider between Guido Pella and
Andreas Seppi will take place at 11 AM local time on Monday (0900
EST).
“We're still alive, we need the support of everyone for the fifth
point tomorrow, free entry after 11," Pella said on Twitter.
Spain and Belgium were the other two teams to qualify for the last
eight after Sunday's matches.
Belgium beat Germany for the first time in nine tries thanks to an
inspired display from world No. 58 Steve Darcis, who beat Alexander
Zverev, ranked 36 places above him, 2-6 6-4 6-4 7-6(8) to clinch an
unassailable 3-1 lead.
Spain qualified by winning both their singles rubbers in Croatia.
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Argentina's Carlos Berlocq celebrates after he won his match against
Italy's Paolo Lorenzi. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci
Roberto Buatista beat Franko Skugor in four sets before Pablo
Carreno Busta defeated Nikola Mektic 7-6(4) 6-1 6-4.
Australia, France, the United States and Serbia all qualified on
Saturday.
Australia beat the Czech Republic 4-1 after splitting Sunday's
reverse singles, while France defeated Japan by the same scoreline
after each side won a singles rubber.
The United States won both reverse singles to hammer 2014 winners
Switzerland 5-0 and Serbia beat Russia 4-0, with the final match
canceled.
In the quarter-finals, Australia will host the United States, Serbia
will play Spain, France face Britain and Belgium will go to either
Argentina or Italy.
All ties will be played over the weekend of April 7-9.
(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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