U.S., Italy Keep Davis Cup Hopes Alive With Doubles Thrillers

AUSTRALIA 2, USA 1
Pat Rafter Arena, Brisbane, AUS (hard - outdoor) 

Steve Johnson and Jack Sock combined to keep the United States in the hunt for a Davis Cup semi-final spot with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 triumph over Australian duo Sam Groth and John Peers.

The hosts led the contest 2-0 following Friday’s singles at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, but had their advantage halved by Johnson and Sock, who clinched a Bronze Medal together at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

“Jordan (Thompson) played great yesterday, he deserved to win, he was the better player,” said Sock. “But today we were able to regroup and get a win.”

Jim Courier’s American side must prevail in both singles matches on Sunday to progress to the semi-finals for the first time since 2012.

"I'm super proud of these guys today but it still will take a monstrous effort from us on day three,” said Courier.

World No. 16 Nick Kyrgios is scheduled to face Sock in the fourth rubber, before a possible deciding contest between Jordan Thompson and John Isner.

“The way he (Kyrgios) played yesterday, he's going to have a lot of confidence going out there,” said Australia’s captain Lleyton Hewitt. "Whoever he's up against is going to be a tough match. He knows that. He's our leader and we're going to back him to go out there and play well."

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BELGIUM 2, ITALY 1
Spiroudome de Charleroi, Charleroi, BEL (hard - indoor)

Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi kept Italy afloat in its Davis Cup quarter-final tie against Belgium, providing the heroics on Saturday in Charleroi. The Italians saved one match point in a deciding tie-break to edge Ruben Bemelmans and Joris De Loore 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(6).

Bemelmans and De Loore sought to give the host nation an unassailable 3-0 advantage, as Bolelli and Seppi were broken while serving for the match at 5-4 in the fifth set. But the Italian duo extended the tie in dramatic fashion in the ensuing tie-break. They prevailed after three hours and 50 minutes, firing 48 winners and converting four of nine break chances.

"I'm very happy," said Bolelli. "It was a very tough match. On this surface, they're really tough to play. They played really good. For me, we deserved it. We had many chances in the fifth set. We are still alive."

Belgium, runners-up in 2015 to Great Britain, are seeking their second semi-final appearance in three years, while the Italians are bidding for their first since 2014. David Goffin will look to wrap up proceedings when he faces Paolo Lorenzi in Sunday's reverse singles.