Friday, 11 April, 2008

Argentina and Sweden were tied at 1-1 at the end of the first day of the Davis Cup quarter-final in Buenos Aires.

David Nalbandian beat Thomas Johansson 6-2 5-7 6-4 6-2 to give Argentina the lead but Robin Soderling levelled the tie after destroying Jose Acasuso 6-0 6-4 6-1.

Nalbandian won his first break in the sixth game and stormed to take the first set comfortably. He then went 2-0 down in the second and never recovered in an error-strewn second set.

However, the world number seven took control and took the third and fourth sets relatively easily.

"I am very happy for the triumph," Nalbandian said. "It is always important to start 1-0 ahead in the series.

"The fans' support is crucial to us and I hope we could see Russia in the next stage so we could play at home again.

"I had some difficulties during the second set. I started well and I thought it was going to be similar as the first, but I complicated things. I lost focus and I was uncomfortable in the court.

"Then in the third and fourth I improved my performance and that was enough to end the match."

In the second singles rubber, a nervous Acasuso was no match for the ruthless Soderling, who wrapped up the win in just under two hours.

The tie will continue on Saturday with Nalbandian and Guillermo Canas facing Jonas Bjorkman and Robert Lindstedt in the doubles.

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