The Argentine team formed by Leonardo Mayer and Carlos Berloq battled past Belgians Ruben Bemelmans and Steve Darcis with 6-2 7-6 (7-2) 5-7 7-6 (7-5), during a dramatic four-hour semifinal match at the Forest National Indoor Facility in Brussels. The home team saved 16 of the 21 break points they faced.
Bemelmans dropped serve in the first game and Argentina took control of the match cruising to a 6-2 5-2 lead with a double break in the second set but the Belgian team broke twice to draw level to 5-all. Darcis held his serve from 0-40 down to give Belgium a 6-5 lead. Berloq held serve easily to force the second set to the tie-break. Argentina reeled off six consecutive points to clinch the tie-break with 7-2.
Break point opportunities from both sides were created for ten consecutive games in the third set before Darcis broke serve as Berloq was serving at 5-5. Belgium held serve to clinch the third set with 7-5.
Both teams traded breaks for 4-4 in the fourth set. Darcis fended off another match point with a lob before Bemelmans hit two winners to draw level to 5-5.
It came down to a thrilling tie-break. Argentina raced into a 4-1 lead but Belgium clawed their way back to draw level. Darcis saved another match point with a forehand down the line. Argentina sealed the win on the next match point as Darcis sent a backhand return long.
Following Argentina’s crucial victory is Brussels, team Captain Daniel Orsanic spoke about Mayer’s and Berlocq’s triumph.
“The match was really, really close,” said Orsanic. “At the end, Leo and Charly got a little bit loose, they were able to hit the ball cleaner and that made the difference. It was a very exciting match.”
Argentina will need to win one of their two matches on Sunday to qualify for their fifth Davis Cup final.
