Belarus win Davis Cup tie against Portugal

Belarus defeated Portugal 3-2 in the Davis Cup Europe/Africa Group I tie that took place at the Minsk’s Palace of Tennis. In the decider Belarus’ world number 135 Ilya Ivashka overpowered Pedro Sousa, world number 123, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).

On the first day, 13 September, Ilya Ivashka lost to Joao Sousa 6-4, 1-6, 2-6, while Belarus’ world number 199 Egor Gerasimov defeated Portugal’s world number 179 Joao Domingues 6-2, 6-3.

On the second competition day, 14 September, the doubles rubber featuring Ilya Ivashka and Andrei Vasilevski vs Joao Sousa and Pedro Sousa went in favor of Portugal 6-3, 7-6 (8-6). Then, Egor Gerasimov beat Joao Sousa 7-6 (8-6), 6-4.

In early March 2020 Belarus will compete for the 2020 Davis Cup qualifiers.

In 2019 Davis Cup is played in a new format. The finals will feature 18 teams: four semi-finalists from 2018, 12 qualifiers, and two wild card nations. The new season-ending Davis Cup Finals will take place in Madrid, Spain on 18-24 November.

Preliminary groups:

Group А – France, Serbia, Japan;

Group В – Croatia, Spain, Russia;

Group С – Argentina, Germany, Chile;

Group D – Belgium, Australia, Colombia;

Group Е – Great Britain, Netherlands, Kazakhstan;

Group F – Italy, Canada, United States.

The six group winners plus the two second-placed teams with the best records will qualify for the quarterfinals.

On picture: Ilya Ivashka during a decider vs Pedro Sousa, world number 123