Argentina Refuses to Play

Argentina withdrew Saturday from the Davis Cup American Zone series against Chile after violence by an angry crowd at Santiago, Chile, forced cancellation of the second singles match the day before.

“Our players do not have the necessary mental and psychological conditions to continue to play,” said Enrique Morea, president of the Argentine Tennis Federation.

Referee Tony Hernandez declared Chile the winner, 5-0.

Hernandez said he awarded the series to Chile because Argentina did not abide by a decision made late Friday to continue to play behind closed doors, without spectators.

But, Hernandez added, the final decision on the winner of the series will be made by the Davis Cup Committee of the International Tennis Federation. “I have been officially informed that the Argentine federation will file an appeal,” he said.

Chilean officials said the committee would convene Wednesday in London.

On Friday, Hernandez suspended the second singles match as an angry crowd started tossing coins, fruit, bottles and chairs to the court. The Argentines were escorted off the court by police using plastic riot shields.

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Defending champion Australia advanced to the semifinals while Russia avoided elimination and Brazil took a 2-1 lead over Slovakia.

The Australian doubles team of Patrick Rafter and Mark Woodforde went five sets before defeating Germany’s David Prinosil and Marc-Kevin Goellner, 6-3, 6-2, 2-6, 6-7 (4), 10-8.

Russia kept its hopes alive as Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Marat Safin defeated Spain’s Alex Corretja and Juan Balcells, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 7-6, (3), 6-4.

Veteran Jaime Oncins helped an exhausted Gustavo Kuerten to a four-set doubles win as Brazil took a 2-1 lead over Slovakia in their best-of-five series.