Despite an upset loss by Pete Sampras, the United States made it to the Davis Cup semifinals when Jim Courier won the deciding singles match over Jacco Eltingh of the Netherlands.
The semifinals, set for Sept. 23-25, has the U.S. team playing at Sweden in one series, while Germany plays Russia in the other. Elsewhere Sunday, Sweden beat France, Germany beat Spain and Russia defeated the Czech Republic, all by 3-2 scores.The United States led 2-1 when play began Sunday, and the Americans had the top-ranked player in the world going for the clincher.
But playing before a hostile crowd of 10,000, Sampras lost 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 to Richard Krajicek.
That left it up to Courier, and he defeated Eltingh 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 in the deciding match of the best-of-5 series.
"I didn't think I'd have to play another live match," said Courier, who expected Sampras to win. "But the bottom line is we got the job done."
Eltingh, ranked 51st in the world, was playing his best tennis against the 11th-ranked Courier, but still had his service broken in the fifth and ninth games of the first set.
With Eltingh serving at 4-5 in the second set, a powerful forehand passing shot gave Courier his sixth game.
At 3-3 in the third set, Courier missed an easy forehand to give the Dutchman his first service break of the match. Eltingh served out the set, but Courier rediscovered his form of the first two sets and broke his opponents's service to go 3-1 up in the fourth set.
Courier broke Eltingh again in the sixth game, Courier served out the match for the United States.
"It doesn't get any better than this for Jim Courier," captain Tom Gullikson said. "He's well on his way back."
Sweden 3, France 2
At Cannes, France, Stefan Edberg clinched Sweden's win by beating Cedric Pioline 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 in sweltering heat.
Edberg's victory gave Sweden an insurmountable 3-1 lead, and the final singles match - which France's Olivier Delaitre won - was reduced to three sets.
Germany 3, Spain 2
At Halle, Germany, Michael Stich defeated Sergi Bruguera 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 to give Germany an insurmountable 3-1 lead.
Spain's Jordi Burillo beat Marc Goellner 6-4, 6-4 in the final match.
Russia 3, Czech Republic 2
At St. Petersburg, Russia, Yevgeny Kafelnikov beat Petr Korda 6-4, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 and Andrei Olkhovsky topped Ctislav Dosedel 6-2, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 to put Russia in the Davis Cup semifinals for the first time.