 Photographer: Arne Forsell
Date: 05 Mar 2010 |  Photographer: Arne Forsell
Date: 05 Mar 2010 |  Photographer: Arne Forsell
Date: 05 Mar 2010 |  Photographer: Arne Forsell
Date: 05 Mar 2010 |  Photographer: Arne Forsell
Date: 05 Mar 2010 |  Photographer: Arne Forsell
Date: 05 Mar 2010 |  Photographer: Arne Forsell
Date: 05 Mar 2010 |  Photographer: Arne Forsell
Date: 05 Mar 2010 |  Photographer: Arne Forsell
Date: 05 Mar 2010 |
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| 05 Mar 2010 - Stockholm, Sweden - SWE v ARG - Lee Goodall | |
| Honours even in Stockholm |
Argentine youngster Leonardo Mayer played the role of hero for the visitors in Sweden on Friday when he won his first ever Davis Cup by BNP Paribas match to leave the World Group first round tie finely balanced at one rubber apiece after day one.
With Argentina trailing 1-0 after Swedish No. 1 Robin Soderling had put the hosts ahead with a straight-sets victory over Eduardo Schwank earlier in the day, 22-year-old Mayer hit back from a set down to beat Joachim Johansson in four sets.
The victory for Mayer, who was playing only the second Davis Cup by BNP Paribas rubber of his career, makes Saturday’s doubles highly intriguing, particularly after Argentine captain Tito Vazquez confirmed he will bring in late arrival David Nalbandian to partner Horacio Zeballos against Soderling and Robert Lindstedt.
World No. 73 Mayer produced some rock solid tennis under pressure during the last three sets against Johansson, a former top ten player who has proved himself at the highest level of the game over the years and whose current ranking of No. 373 says nothing about his ability.
With his team a rubber ahead and things going to plan in the second match of the day after Johansson stole a tight first set against Mayer, things were looking good for Thomas Enqvist on his first day in charge as captain since taking over from Mats Wilander.
Mayer made of 'stern stuff'
But Mayer proved he is made of stern stuff and that he had learned a lot from a disappointing debut in the competition against the Czech Republic last July when he lost his doubles in straight sets and afterwards admitted he suffered badly from nerves.
The former junior world No.2 used his brand of attacking tennis to grab a break of serve in each of the last three sets to wrap up a 57 63 75 64 victory in just over three hours, a result that sent his bench and the small band of around 15 Argentine supporters who have made the journey to Stockholm into wild celebrations.
A satisfied Mayer revealed afterwards that he had planned his recent schedule with the aim of gaining vital hard court practice. “I began playing on hard courts a couple of months ago preparing for this tie and everything went to plan today,” he said. “It wasn’t easy though – Joachim is a very good player and he played well today.”
Argentine captain Vazquez looked a relieved man after watching Mayer put a point on the board and said it was a match they had to win to keep the tie alive. “I’m very proud of Leo today,” he said. “To have the responsibility of having to win the match to give us a chance of staying in the tie – it was enormous – and he did it.”
Vazquez also revealed that Nalbandian had proved his fitness since arriving in Stockholm late on Thursday night and would feature in Saturday’s doubles. “We’ll definitely use David tomorrow – he hasn’t just come to watch. It’s great for us to have a fresh guy in the doubles and he will play with Horacio Zeballos.”
Soderling gives Sweden early lead
Earlier, Soderling had given his team the perfect start with a confident performance to beat Schwank on the South American’s Davis Cup by BNP Paribas debut 61 76(0) 75, a result that earned him his fourth successive straight sets victory in the competition. The world No.7 made a strong start and used his big serve and forehand to come through in exactly two-and-a-half hours.
Soderling has enjoyed plenty of success at the Kungliga Tennishallen in the past where he has twice been a finalist at the ATP World Tour indoor event held at the club, and said afterwards he was happy with his day’s work.
“For sure I can play a little bit better but it’s a straight sets win and I’ve got to be happy with that,” said the 25-year-old. “I started the match really well, played an excellent first set and then in the second I maybe didn’t move as well and let him dictate the points a little bit more.
“He played well – he surprised me in the second and third sets because he was serving well and mixing his game up well with some serve and volley. He played a good match.”
After his first day in the captain’s hot seat Enqvist admitted the tie could go either way but that he still put Sweden as slight favourites going into the doubles.
“It’s very tight,” Enqvist said. “I still think we have a very good chance and Robin is in great shape and it’s great to have him in the team. We have lots of respect for the Argentines but I still feel confident.”
Related links
> Twitter
> Tie information
> Audio interviews
> Scorecards & stats
> Argentina boosted by Nalbandian arrival
> Nalbandian targets Davis Cup success
Related websites
> Information in Swedish – Tennis Sweden
> Asociacion Argentina de Tenis
Related Audio
 Interview with Robin Soderling (SWE) - Friday
Interview with captain Tito Vazquez (ARG) - Friday
Interview with Joachim Johansson (SWE) - Friday
Interview with captain Thomas Enqvist (SWE) - Friday
 
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