Sweden and Australia are level after day one of their Davis Cup semi-final tie in Sydney.
Thomas Johansson battled back from two sets down to defeat Pat Rafter and give Sweden the early initiative. After falling two sets behind, 18th ranked Johansson broke Rafter's serve five times in the final three sets and ran out a 3-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 winner.
"He was serving very well in the first two sets but in the third and fourth sets I hit the returns a lot better and he began double-faulting," said Johansson. "After the third set I could see that Pat was getting tired and I felt good and I tried to keep him away from the net. I put in more lobs and then I tried my passing shots again, but the key was my returning and serving."
Rafter couldn't hide his disappointment at letting a two-set lead slip and admitted that he had only himself to blame for the defeat. " It was a really bad error on my part, I just let him right back into the match. I fell asleep after two sets and you just can't afford to do that."
US Open champion Lleyton Hewitt levelled proceedings when he defeated Jonas Bjorkman in the day's second singles match. Hewitt came from behind to topple Jonas Bjorkman 4-6, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 in another enthralling encounter.
The doubles matches will be played tomorrow with the decisive reverse singles on Sunday. The winner of the tie will play either France or The Netherlands in the November 30-December 2 final.
Filed by Tom Grealis
