Buenos Aires, Argentina (Sports Network) - Argentina got a pair of dead
rubber victories on Sunday to complete a 5-0 sweep of Germany in an opening-
round Davis Cup tie in Buenos Aires.
After David Nalbandian and Horacio Zeballos sent the Argentines into the
quarterfinals Saturday with a four-set doubles victory over a German duo of
Christopher Kas and Tobias Kamke, Juan Monaco and Carlos Berlocq added a pair
of reverse singles wins on Sunday.
Monaco handled Tobias Kamke 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) and Berlocq beat Christopher Kas
6-2, 6-4 to closeout the weekend series.
The Germans played without world No. 19 Philipp Kohlschreiber on Saturday
and Sunday. He was scratched from the doubles bout after suffering a
hamstring injury during Friday's singles play. Kohlschreiber was actually
one game away from giving Germany the first point of the tie when he was
forced to retire against Berlocq on Day 1.
Monaco then rallied for a four-set win over Florian Mayer in the second
opening singles match Friday and the doubles tandem of Nalbandian and Zeballos
finished the job on Saturday.
The Argentines beat Germany in the first round for the second straight year
and will host France in April's quarterfinals. The French also clinched
their opening-round tie Saturday against visiting Israel.
Argentina now owns a 7-2 advantage over Germany in their all-time Davis
Cup series.
The four-time runner-up Argentines are still seeking that elusive first-ever
Davis Cup title.
The Sports Network