Tennis

Brazil takes 2-1 lead over Argentina in Davis Cup

Published Mar. 7, 2015 2:23 p.m. ET

foxsports

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Brazil took a 2-1 lead over Argentina in their Davis Cup first-round tie with the doubles pair of Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares defeating Diego Schwartzman and Carlos Berlocq 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.

Brazil can advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2001 by winning one of Sunday's reverse singles. It hasn't beaten Argentina in 40 years.

"We came to Buenos Aires to win three points, and we're getting closer," Soares said. "We were very solid around the net today, and this gave us an edge. It was a tough match despite the fact it went only three sets."

Argentina captain Daniel Orsanic played the more experienced and higher-ranked Berlocq in doubles instead of Federico Delbonis, even though Berlocq played a five-set singles on Friday and had never won a Davis Cup doubles.

Leonardo Mayer is scheduled to face Joao Souza in Sunday's first reverse singles, then Berlocq is up against Thomas Bellucci in the second match.

However, Orsanic could replace Berlocq with Delbonis, who has yet to play.

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