BUENOS AIRES, Sept 29:Slovakia advanced to the 1999 Davis Cup World Group, squeaking past Argentina 3-2 on a final, four-set victory Monday by Dominik Hrbaty over Hernan Gumy. Hrbaty downed Gumy 6-2 3-6 6-4 6-2 in the decisive three-hour match at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club, with 3,500 fans in attendance.The outcome spelled a bitter disappointment for Argentina, which has been bidding for the past six years to advance beyond Group One of the American Zone competition.Singles play kicked off the series Friday and Argentina led 2-1 after the weekend doubles. But Slovakia's Karol Kucera tied it 2-2 by defeating Franco Squillari 6-3 6-3 3-6 6-7 (7-3) 6-4 earlier yesterday.
Grand Slam Cup loses hype: The Grand Slam Cup doesn't live up to its name this year, at least on the men's side. The lucrative tournament was created to bring together winners of the four Grand Slam tennis events.
But of the four men's champions this year, three have elected not to come, including the two top players in the world,Pete Sampras and Patrick Rafter.
But the women, competing in the 6.7 million dollar event for the first time, are here in full force, with only Monica Seles absent. Seles has refused to play in Germany since her stabbing at a tournament in Hamburg in 1993.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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