Football
Associated Press 22y

Johansson, Sweden make Davis Cup quarterfinals

Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson beat Greg Rusedski in
four sets Sunday, completing Sweden's comeback victory over Britain
to reach the Davis Cup quarterfinals.

Defending champion France, Spain, Russia and Croatia also
completed first-round victories Sunday, while the United States,
Argentina and the Czech Republic clinched wins in their
best-of-five series on Saturday.

Spain advanced to meet the United States when Morocco's Karim
Alami quit during the deciding fifth match while losing 6-3, 6-0 to
Alex Corretja. Alami received treatment for a muscle injury.

In Oklahoma City, the United States took an insurmountable 3-0
lead against Slovakia on Saturday.

In Birmingham, England, where Sweden entered the day trailing
the series 2-1, Thomas Enqvist tied it by defeating Tim Henman 6-4,
6-2, 6-4. Johansson, who didn't play singles Friday because of a
groin injury, then rallied to top Rusedski 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.

Britain hasn't advanced beyond the first round in 16 years.

"I am very pleased," Johansson said. "I was a little bit
nervous going into the deciding match."

Sweden next plays Russia, which got past Switzerland 3-2, when
Australian Open finalist Marat Safin beat Michel Kratochvil 6-1,
7-6 (6), 6-4 at Moscow's Olympic Indoor stadium.

In Metz, France, the hosts took an insurmountable 3-1 edge when
Sebastien Grosjean rallied from 2-0 in the fifth set to defeat
Sjeng Schalken 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (6), 2-6, 6-3.

France's next opponent is the Czech Republic, which eliminated
visiting Brazil 4-1.

Reigning Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic beat Rainer
Schuettler 6-4, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) to help Croatia get past Germany
and set up a quarterfinal meeting with Argentina.

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