Federico Delbonis wins, sends Argentina to Davis Cup quarters
Argentina advanced to the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup on Monday, beating Brazil 3-2 after Federico Delbonis defeated Thomaz Bellucci 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 in a match that took two days to complete.
The match had been suspended because of darkness on Sunday with Delbonis leading 1-0. It started late after Leonardo Mayer needed 6 hours, 42 minutes to beat Joao Souza in the longest singles match ever played in the Davis Cup.
The 83rd-ranked Delbonis dropped the second set after play resumed on Monday but quickly rebounded to regain control.
Argentina, which will next play Serbia, is returning to the World Group quarterfinals for the first time since 2013.
The South American powerhouse had been upset by Italy in the first round last year, dropping to the World Group playoffs. The Argentines had reached at least the semifinals of the World Group every year since 2010 before the setback in 2014.
Argentina is seeking its first Davis Cup title. It was runner-up four times: 1981, 2006, 2008 and 2011.
Brazil was trying to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2001, when three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten still played. The Brazilians were semifinalists in 1992 and 2000.
