Belarus Beats Switzerland in Doubles to Remain Alive in Davis Cup Tie

Max Mirnyi and Vladimir Voltchkov dashed Switzerland’s hopes of a quick Davis Cup victory over Belarus with a four-set doubles win over Stanislas Wawrinka and Yves Allegro on Saturday.

The 30-year-old Belarusians defeated the Swiss duo 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-2, but Switzerland still leads 2-1 in the best-of-five tie in Euro-African Zone Group One, which began in Minsk on Friday.

Mirnyi was scheduled to play against Wawrinka and Vladimir Ignatik against Stephane Bohli in Sunday’s reverse singles, but the captains have the right to make substitutions.

On Friday, Bohli beat Mirnyi 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (5), and Wawrinka overcame the stubborn challenge of the 17-year-old Ignatik, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (2), 6-2.

The winner of the tie will be just one step away from advancing to the Davis Cup World Group, the world’s 16-team tennis elite. //BelaPAN