Romania stays alive at Davis Cup

An unexpected doubles win Saturday drew Romania within 2-1 of Russia in the best-of-five Davis Cup battle in Sibiu, Romania.

The tandem of Marius Copil and Horia Tecau beat veterans Marat Safin and Dmitry Tursunov 4-6, 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 in a marathon four-hour match on the indoor carpet at Sala Transilvania.

Safin was a late substitute for Teimuraz Gabashvili by Russian captain Shamil Tarpischev.

The Russians can advance by winning one of two singles matches Sunday, when Safin will play Victor Hanescu and Mikhail Youzhny faces Victor Crivoi.

The Russians have reached the semifinals four years in a row. They won the Davis Cup a second time in 2006.

The Russia-Romania victor plays either Sweden or Israel in July’s quarterfinals.

Sweden has a 2-1 advantage over Israel.