U.S. Gets Early Davis Cup Win

Michael Chang of Placentia lost a first-set tiebreaker today but rallied for a four-set victory over Victor Pecci to give the United States a 1-0 lead over Paraguay in the first round of the Davis Cup World Group.

Chang won 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

The best-of-five match started on schedule despite a revolt that began late Thursday in Pecci’s country. The target of the rebellion was longtime Paraguay President Alfredo Stroessner.

Pecci showed his age--33--in the latter stages against Chang, who turns 17 later this month. Pecci tried to rely on his serve and volley, but he lost six straight points when he went to the net during one stretch of the fourth set.

In the third set, Pecci trailed 5-4 and was within a point of pulling even, but he netted a short forehand on break point. Chang won the next two points to take the set, and broke in the first and third games of the final set.