ANTALYA, April 8, 2017

The Turkish team has survived another day, winning Saturday’s doubles rubber to extend their Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group II second round tie with Sweden, held at the Ali Bey Hotels & Resorts in Antalya, to the reverse singles.

Altug Celikbilek and Cem Ilkel weathered a rough start to beat doubles specialists Johan Brunstrom and Andreas Siljestrom 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3. With the tie on the line and Sweden only two sets from a clean sweep, the host team eventually found some extra energy, winning 73 per cent of their first service points. Celikbilek and Ilkel broke serve four times to secure victory in two hours and 34 minutes.

Sunday’s singles action will be opened by each team’s number one player, when Marsel Ilhan will face Elias Ymer, followed by the clash between Cem Ilkel and Christian Lindell. Both pairs will meet for the first time.

Photo Gallery (by Brigitte Urban):