Davis Cup - David/Willy Gives Argentina 2-1 Lead

David NALBANDIAN and Guillermo CANAS have clinched the doubles rubber with a 7-5 6-4 6-4 defeat of Sweden's Jonas BJORKMAN and Robert LINDSTEDT in two hours and 17 minutes. The win gives Argentina a 2-1 advantage going into the final day of this Davis Cup by BNP Paribas quarterfinal tie.


For the first time in ten years, Argentina came into the doubles match tied at home, not 2-0 ahead. Yet they had won the third rubber of a Buenos Aires tie on the last six occasions, not facing defeat in doubles at home since 2002. And this time they extended that record to seven matches, after a very good performance from Cañas and Nalbandian.

Cañas was clearly in an excitable mood, not having played Davis Cup in Buenos Aires for some time, while Nalbandian had suffered from a muscular fatigue last week and a none too convincing victory over Thomas JOHANSSON yesterday.


A crucial point"This was a crucial point and we played very well," said NALBANDIAN."It’s not the same to start on Sunday leading 2-1 than trailing 1-2. "I suppose Soderling must be very confident, but I will be playing in front of my people and I expect not to disappoint them."

Cañas was equally happy: "Everybody knows I love playing at Buenos Aires, because the crowd supports in an incredible way."When asked about the possibility of replacing Acasuso for the last singles, he said: "In the team, we all want to play each point and we are ready to enter the court if need be, but we all respect the decisions our captain takes and we have to wait for his decision."


Day 3 will resume with NALBANDIAN taking on Robin SODERLING, while Jose ACASUSO will face Thomas JOHANSSON.