Sorgi wins decisive fifth rubber to guide Brazil to second round of Davis Cup

IANS  |  Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) 

advanced to the second round of the top tier of Zone after came back from a set down to defeat the Dominican Republic's 6-7, 6-1, 6-4 in the decisive fifth

The tie thus ended 3-2 in favour of Brazil, who will now face Colombia, who defeated 4-0 in April, reports

On Saturday, when three matches were scheduled, took a 2-1 lead after winning the third rubber, a doubles match.

Dominicans and had no answer for Marcelo Melo, the highest ranked in the world, and Marcelo Demoliner, the world number 43, who downed them in straight sets with a 6-3, 6-4 win.

Hardt and Olivares said they entered the court in search of points and to give it their all, but the Brazilians played a better match.

However, the hosts equalled the tie 2-2 in the fourth as Hernandez-Fernandez defeated Monteiro 7-6, 6-4.

This led to a showdown between and Sorgi in the fifth rubber, which was an evenly matched contest apart from the second set, which the latter won 6-1.

The -- placed at 29 in rankings compared to Brazil's 22 -- will now face in a play-off.

The Dominican Republic's star did not participate in the tie as he is in to take part in the Open, which he famously won in 2015 to become the oldest first-time winner in the Open Era, before successfully defending it in 2016 and 2017.

--IANS

sam/bg

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First Published: Sun, February 04 2018. 14:46 IST