News & Events in Belarus

MINSK, 9 April (BelTA) - Belarus defeated Austria 3-1 in the second round of the 2017 Davis Cup Europe/Africa Zone Group I, BelTA has learned.

Ilya Ivashko (world number 172) brought his team the winning point after seeing off Gerald Melzer (ranked 109^th) 7-6 (7-3), 6-4, 6-3, 6-1. The match lasted two hours and 40 minutes.

On the first matchday, Ilya Ivashko celebrated a 7-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 victory over Jurgen Melzer (156).

Egor Gerasimov (ranked 263^rd) defeated Gerald Melzer 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 in the opening rubber on 7 April. On Saturday the Belarusian duet of Max Mirnyi (world number 34 in the doubles) and Yaroslav Shilo lost 4-6, 6-7, 7-6, 4-6 to Julian Knowle (81^st in the doubles) and Jurgen Melzer.

Belarusian tennis player Victoria Azarenka, who is planning to make a return to the court after giving birth to her son, attended the games.

With a 3-1 victory over Austria, Belarus earned the right to continue its contention for the Davis Cup World Group.