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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, February 9, 2008

Tennis: Argentina tops Britain, reaches Davis quarters

Associated Press

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina advanced to the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup after David Nalbandian and Jose Acasuso won the doubles to clinch a 3-0 lead over Britain today.

The pair defeated Jamie Murray and Ross Hutchins 6-2, 7-6 (13), 6-0. Argentina qualifies to play either Sweden or Israel in the next round.

The ninth-ranked Nalbandian and Agustin Calleri had given Argentina a 2-0 lead Friday after straight-set victories in the opening singles matches over two lesser-ranked British players.

Nalbandian's shot placement helped break Hutchins' serve twice in the first set, played on red outdoor clay at the 14,500-seat Parque Roca stadium.

The only real battle came in the tight second set as Murray and Hutchins went ahead 5-4 with passing and drop shots. Britain saved seven set points between the last game and the tiebreaker before ultimately losing 13-11.

That seemed to sap the British team as Argentina took a 2-0 lead in the third set when light rain caused a 45-minute delay. It only took 18 more minutes when play resumed to wrap up the match.