AP, Brussels :
Leonardo Mayer defeated Steve Darcis in four sets and almost four hours to draw Argentina level with Belgium at 1-1 in their Davis Cup semifinal on Friday, after David Goffin had put the hosts ahead.
Goffin defeated Federico Delbonis 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-3 in the first singles match before Mayer used his big serve to come out on top against Darcis 7-6 (5), 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-3.
The 39th-ranked Mayer hit 24 aces to Darcis’ 1 and took all risks as he converted 2 of 13 breakpoints after hitting 81 winners and 77 unforced errors in 3 hours, 52 minutes.
“There is still a lot to do,” said Mayer, after posting an eighth consecutive win for his country. “And we will do it little by little.”
The 15th-ranked Goffin failed to convert three match points on Delbonis’ serve but sealed the match with an ace in the next game to improve his Davis Cup record to 10-3.
Goffin prevailed on key points on the indoor hard court at Forest National while Delbonis was punished for his inconsistent display, which featured 48 unforced errors.
“It was a tough one but the atmosphere is always amazing here in Brussels,” said Goffin, who made back-to-back winners from 5-3 ahead in the tiebreaker to move into a two-set lead. “Always when I was break up he was playing so good and was really aggressive.”
Belgium’s last appearance in the semifinals ended with a 4-1 loss against France in 1999. The hosts last qualified for the final as far back as 1904.
Argentina is also looking for a first victory in the competition, having finished runner-up four times.
In Saturday’s doubles, Rubens Bemelmans and Kimmer Coppejans are set to team up against Carlos Berlocq and Diego Schwartzman.
