Jacksonville, FL (Sports Network) - Thomaz Bellucci defeated John Isner on
Sunday to force a fifth and deciding rubber in the best-of-five opening-round
Davis Cup tie between Brazil and the host United States.
After dropping both opening singles rubbers in Florida on Friday, the
resilient Brazilians have fought back with back-to-back wins of their own.
Bellucci came from behind to stun Isner in five sets on Day 3, 2-6, 6-4, 6-7
(7-9), 6-4, 6-3, and level the tie at 2-2 at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial
Arena. The 3-hour, 29-minute bout featured 22 aces by the 6-foot-9 Isner, who
had his serve broken three times and only broke the capable Bellucci on two
occasions in the setback.
Sunday's deciding match will pit American Sam Querrey against Brazil's Thiago
Alves.
On Saturday, Brazil stayed alive when its quality doubles team of Marcelo Melo
and Bruno Soares bested the vaunted American tandem of Bob and Mike Bryan
in five sets. The Bryans were coming off their men's-record 13th Grand Slam
title at the Australian Open last week.
Querrey and Isner each recorded straight-set singles victories on Friday to
put the United States one win away from the quarterfinals.
The 32-time champion U.S. fell to the powerful Spanish team in
the semifinals in last year's Davis Cup action.
The USA-Brazil winner will meet Serbia in the quarters in April.
The Sports Network