Belgrade - Yugoslavia clinched their Davis Cup tennis tie against South Africa in Belgrade on Sunday when Louis Vosloo lost to Vladimir Pavicevic 2-6 3-6 6-4 6-7(0-7).
The home team lead the tie 3-1.
In the first reverse singles Vosloo went down fighting to a master of the clay courts, Vladimir Pavicevic.
In the first two sets Vosloo was totally outplayed, going down 2-6 3-6. He then fought back to take the third set 6-4. Vosloo held on to his dominance in the fourth set going up a break to lead 3-2. Pavicevic broke back and levelled the match at 3-3, at which point the rain came down. The players were off court for 1 hour and 20
minutes. Returning to court the set went with serve, until the tie-break. Pavicevic then played an unbelievable tie-break which he took 7-0 to go on and take the match and seal the tie for Yugoslavia.
"I am extremely proud of Louis" said captain of the South African team Kevin Curren. "He put up a really good fight, but was simply outplayed by a better player, and true clay court specialist."
South Africa will now play against the loser of the Hungary/Luxembourg match to stay in the Euro/Africa qualifying group. The match is scheduled to be played in South Africa from 12-14
July 2002. - Sapa