• Davis Cup

Argentina still in the hunt after doubles success

David Nalbandian and team-mate Eduardo Schwank celebrate after winning their doubles match © PA Photos

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Argentina remain in with a chance of Davis Cup glory after David Nalbandian and Eduardo Schwank launched their comeback with a straight-sets victory over Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco, leaving the final finely poised at 2-1 to Spain.

Beginning the day trailing 2-0 and needing to win Saturday's doubles rubber to keep their hopes alive, Argentina came out knowing what was at stake and produced a telling performance to seal a 6-4 6-2 6-3 win in Seville.

With the reverse singles rubbers on Sunday to decide the tie, world No. 2 Rafael Nadal will look to improve Spain's 20-tie winning streak at home when he takes on Juan Martin del Potro. If Nadal tastes defeat, all eyes will be on No. 5-ranked David Ferrer's match with Juan Monaco.

Nalbandian and Schwank made a fast start, losing only six service points in a one-sided opening set that lasted 39 minutes. The pair appeared to target Verdasco, the least experienced doubles player, with the majority of their attacks and it proved a successful tactic as the Spaniard made costly mistakes en route to a 3-0 deficit in the second set.

Verdasco finally got the home side on the board when holding for 1-4 but Schwank duly served out the set with a hold to 15. When Lopez double-faulted to hand Argentina a break in the first game of the third set, the writing was on the wall. Leading 5-3, Argentina broke again to seal their victory and retain hope of winning the competition for the first time, although Spain - champions in two of the past three years - have their noses in front.

"We played a great match from the beginning and it was unbelievable for us," Nalbandian told Davis Cup Radio. "We didn't lose concentration at any moment and this was very important for us. We needed to keep alive in the tie and we still have a chance."

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