Tennis

Soares-Melo give Brazil 2-1 Davis Cup lead over Spain

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:58 p.m. ET

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Bruno Soares and Marcelo Melo defeated Marc Lopez and David Marrero 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 to give Brazil a 2-1 lead over Spain in a Davis Cup playoff on Saturday, leaving the five-time champions in danger of returning to the zone groups for the first time since 1996.

Brazil had key breaks late in all three sets to clinch the victory in 2 hours, 35 minutes, at the Ibirapuera indoor arena.

Without Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer, Spain needs to win both reverse singles on Sunday to remain in the World Group next year. Roberto Bautista Agut, the team's best-ranked player at No. 15, will face Brazil No. 1 Thomaz Bellucci, while Pablo Andujar plays Rogerio Dutra Silva if the tie goes to a decider.

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