Argentina overcome absences to lead Netherlands 2-0

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By Brian Homewood

BUENOS AIRES, March 6 - Argentina overcame the absence of their three highest-ranked players to sweep to a 2-0 lead over rank outsiders the Netherlands in their Davis Cup world group first-round tie on Friday.

In front of a sparse crowd at the Parque Roca arena, Juan Ignacio Chela beat Jesse Huta Galung 6-2 2-6 6-2 6-7 6-2 in just under four hours to give Argentina first blood.

Juan Monaco, making his appearance since the 2006 final against Russia, then brushed aside Thiemo De Bakker, a player nearly 200 places below him in the world rankings, 6-1 6-2 7-6 in two hours 11 minutes.

Argentina, runners-up twice in the last three years, were without any of the players who lost at home to Spain in last year's final while captain Modesto Vazquez was making his debut after replacing Alberto Mancini.

David Nalbandian withdrew with a viral infection on Tuesday while Juan Martin del Potro, their number one player, and Jose Acasuso were left out by mutual consent and Agustin Calleri was not picked.

Their absence dampened public enthusiasm and there was only a scattering of fans at the 14,000-capacity arena on the southern outskirts of Buenos Aires.

"Obviously, everyone wants to see Nalbandian and Del Potro, they are our best players and are in the top ten," said Chela.

"Of course, we would like to see a full stadium but we have to do our best as it is."

Chela squandered several chances to wrap up the first rubber in the fourth set before losing a tiebreak.

However, he cruised through the fifth set after breaking serve in the first game.

(Editing by Clare Fallon)

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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