BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Joao Souza defeated Carlos Berlocq 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 Friday to give Brazil a 1-0 lead over Argentina in their first-round Davis Cup tie on clay.

Souza failed to convert two set points in the third set, but rallied to win the last two sets in a match that lasted 4 hours, 57 minutes.

In the day’s second singles between two nations that are bitter rivals in football, Leonardo Mayer of Argentina faced Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil.

Neither country has won the Davis Cup. Argentina has been a runner-up for times: 1981, 2006, 2008 and 2011. Brazil has never reached a final.

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