Mar 6, 2015
Swiss, Belgium square in Davis Cup
Steve Darcis defeated Michael Lammer in straight sets in the second of Friday's singles to help Belgium level its Davis Cup first-round series against defending champion Switzerland.
The Canadian Press
LIEGE, Belgium - Steve Darcis defeated Michael Lammer in straight sets in the second of Friday's singles to help Belgium level its Davis Cup first-round series against defending champion Switzerland.
Darcis played aggressively from the start and saved the five break points he faced to produce a 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 victory against the only remaining member from the champion Swiss team. Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka are skipping this best-of-five series after leading their country to its first title in 2014.
Belgium was also missing its top player after David Goffin withdrew because of a back injury. The 21st-ranked Goffin could be fit in time to play in Sunday's reverse singles.
Earlier, Henri Laaksonen rallied from two sets down to beat Ruben Bemelmans and give the defending champions a 1-0 lead.
"It was difficult to believe that I would be able to turn it around, but I felt more comfortable the longer the match went," Laaksonen said.
The 344th-ranked Laaksonen, playing in the team event for the first time since 2013, won 1-6, 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 after Bemelmans started to cramp in the third set at the Country Hall.
"I felt good at training and I don't understand what happened," Bemelmans said. "I was in control at the start, then I had cramps in both legs. I'm not injured and with some good care I could be ready tomorrow."
Bemelmans and Neils Desein are set to face Adrien Bossel and Lammer in Saturday's doubles.
Laaksonen improved as the match went on while the 132th-ranked Bemelmans struggled to move and to chase balls. He tried to shorten the points, only to be punished at the net by his opponent's passing shots.
"I think 1-1 is a good score for us," Swiss captain Luthi said. "I always want to win all the matches but unfortunately that's not possible. It was a great comeback from Henri so we're really happy with that, and I think Darcis was just too good today."