Guatemala defeats El Salvador, remains in Davis Cup Group II

A withdrawal due to injury and an exciting doubles victory over El Salvador handed a series win to Guatemala, ensuring that they remain in the Americas Davis Cup Group II next year.

After ending the series tied at 1-1 on Saturday, the Guatemalans got a stroke of luck at the Guatemala Tennis Federation courts on Sunday with the withdrawal of Rafael Arevalo from the match he was winning against Christopher Diaz 6-1 and 1-0, reports Efe.

"I pulled a calf muscle in the 4-1 and the changes of side made it so I couldn't control it," the Salvadoran said after withdrawing.

On Sunday morning, Diaz and Wilfredo Gonzalez had prevailed in a hard-fought 7-6, 7-5 victory of Salvadoran brothers Marcelo and Rafael Arevalo, although they had been up in the first set by 2-5.

With Diaz the favourite in singles play over Rafael Arevalo, the Salvadoran had to leave the court when his calf couldn't take any more.

Guatemala had come into the best-of-five match-up after losing to Venezuela in February, while El Salvador had fallen to Uruguay.

The next Group II round in Davis Cup action will be held on September 15-16.

--IANS

tri/