Belgium beats Australia, returns to World Group

Steve Darcis beat Carsten Ball 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-4 as Belgium rallied to beat Australia 3-2 on Monday in a rain-interrupted playoff to return to the Davis Cup World Group.

Steve Darcis beat Carsten Ball 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-4 as Belgium rallied to beat Australia 3-2 on Monday in a rain-interrupted playoff to return to the Davis Cup World Group.

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Australia led 2-1 after winning the doubles match on Saturday, but struggled after former No. 1-ranked Lleyton Hewitt injured his wrist and withdrew Sunday from the reverse singles.

Hewitt, who won his opening singles match and helped win the doubles to set a career record for most Davis Cup wins by an Australian, was replaced by Peter Luczak in a singles match that started Sunday and finished Monday.

Olivier Rochus beat Luczak 7-6 (8), 6-4, 6-7 (0), 7-6 (2) to level the playoff at 2-2 before Darcis clinched it for Belgium.