Australia have snatched the lead from Sweden in their Davis Cup semi-final by winning today's doubles rubber 6-7 7-6 7-6 7-6. Wayne Arthurs and Todd Woodbridge fought back to beat Jonas Bjorkman and Magnus Larsson and put Australia 2-1 in front heading into Sunday's reverse singles. The Aussies trailed 1-0 when Wimbledon finalist Pat Rafter lost a five-setter to Thomas Johansson in Friday's opening singles rubber but finished the first day level at 1-1 after U.S. Open champion Lleyton Hewitt beat Bjorkman in four sets.
Now Australia need to win just one of Sunday's reverse singles to host this year's final. "It's a whole different ball game being 2-1 up rather than 2-1 down," Australia's non-playing captain John Fitzgerald said. "We believe we can win the last two matches but we're expecting a tough day."
However, Bjorkman said the Swedes had not yet given up hope of reaching the final despite needing to win both reverse singles. "It is always nicer to be ahead than down but I think we are playing well at the moment," Bjorkman said. "We have a strong team and a good team spirit and hopefully we can use that to get us through tomorrow."
Meanwhile, France took a winning 3-0 lead over the Netherlands today to march into their 14th Davis Cup final as Cedric Pioline and Fabrice Santoro beat Paul Haarhuis and Sjeng Schalken 7-5 6-1 7-5. The French pair needed just one hour and 53 minutes to finish off their hosts with clinical precision at Rotterdam's Ahoy stadium. France romped to a 2-0 lead on the first day. Arnaud Clement took the opening match after Dutchman Raemon Sluiter had to retire injured and Nicolas Escude made it 2-0 by beating Schalken in a stunning five-setter which lasted four hours and 51 minutes.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
