Argentine duo Leonardo Mayer and Carlos Berlocq held their nerve to edge Belgium's Steve Darcis and Ruben Bemelmans 6-2 7-6 (7-2) 5-7 7-6 (7-5) in Saturday's doubles and give the South Americans a 2-1 lead in the Davis Cup semi-finals.
The match was marred by controversy because of a decision in the second-set tiebreaker by the umpire, who angered the host side and the fans at the 8,000-capacity Forest National arena by ordering a point to be replayed after an instant-play overrule instead of awarding the point to the Belgians.
Argentina took full advantage of the call, tying the score at 1-1 by winning the replayed point and then taking six of the next seven points to capture the tiebreaker and grab a two-sets-to-love lead.
Belgium fought back in the third set, but Argentina sealed the victory when Darcis hit a backhand return over the baseline.
The semi-final tie will now come down to the reverse singles on Sunday, when Belgian No. 1 David Goffin will take on Mayer before Darcis and Federico Delbonis square off in a potentially decisive fifth-rubber.
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