Americans alive for last tango in Paris

The United States kept alive their Davis Cup final hopes when a gamble by captain Patrick McEnroe to play James Blake in the doubles led to ...

The United States kept alive their Davis Cup final hopes when a gamble by captain Patrick McEnroe to play James Blake in the doubles led to a 2-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over champions France on Saturday.

Blake nursed Todd Martin through long stretches of a thrilling three hour 16 minute match against Mickael Llodra and Fabrice Santoro on the clay courts of Roland Garros.

Mardy Fish was originally named to play with Martin. But an hour before the match McEnroe decided to use Blake, who had lost his singles on the opening day against Sebastien Grosjean to give France a 2-0 lead.

Story continues below this ad

Blake’s athleticism proved the vital element against the French pairing. The winners will play either Russia, who lead 2-0 in the other semi-final, or Argentina in the final, starting on November 29.

19-17 victory in last set

MOSCOW: Lukas Arnold and David Nalbandian handed Argentina a life-line in their Davis Cup semi-final against Russia by outlasting Marat Safin and Yevgeny Kafelnikov 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, 19-17 in an epic doubles marathon on Saturday.

The victory brought Argentina back into the three-day tie at 2-1 after Safin and Kafelnikov had given Russia a 2-0 lead when they beat Juan Ignacio Chela and Gaston Gaudio respectively in Friday’s singles.

Britain lead Thailand 2-1

BIRMINGHAM: Britain led Thailand 2-1 after Saturday’s doubles match in their Davis Cup world group qualifier when Tim Henman/Miles Maclagan beat Danai Udomchoke/Paradorn Srichaphan 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 7-5, 6-2

Germany escape relegation

Story continues below this ad

KARLSRUHE: Three-times Davis Cup champions Germany escaped relegation by taking an unbeatable 3-0 lead over Venezuela in their world group qualifier on Saturday.

David Prinosil and Nicolas Kiefer outplayed Jose de Armas and Jimy Szymanski 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 in the doubles match to make sure the home side would win the tie whatever the outcome of Sunday’s reverse singles.

Netherlands down Finland

TURKU: The Netherlands took an unbeatable 3-0 lead over Finland after Saturday’s doubles match in their Davis Cup world group qualifier.

Tuomas Ketola/Jarkko Nieminen lost to Paul Haarhuis/Sjeng Schalken 1-6, 4-6, 4-6

Easy for Brazil

Story continues below this ad

RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil led Canada 2-0 after Friday’s opening singles matches in their Davis Cup world group qualifier. Fernando Meligeni beat Frank Dancevic 6-2, 7-5, 2-6, 7-5 and Gustavo Kuerten downed Daniel Nestor 6-4, 7-6, (12), 6-0.