Marcos Baghdatis provided Cyprus with a 1-0 lead in the Davis Cup Euro/Africa Zone II second-round clash against Ireland after recording a five-set victory over Louk Sorensen 6-7(5), 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 yesterday afternoon at the National Tennis Center in Nicosia.

The Cypriot number one was expected to have an easy job against the 24-year old Sorensen in the first rubber, but the Irishman showed great resilience as he held a 2-1 lead while serving for a 6-5 lead in the fourth. However, Baghdatis found his best form just when he needed it the most as he converted the first of the two break opportunities to take a 6-5 lead himself and then served out to force the decider. After more than four hours of hard-fought battle, Baghdatis prevailed winning the decider 6-4 and giving Cyprus a 1-0 lead. In the second rubber Photos, Kallias took on Conor Niland in the match that was played late last night.

Baghdatis and Kallias will team up this afternoon at 18:00 in the doubles against James McGee and Colin O’Brien.