体坛英语新闻：Brazil on verge of Davis Cup World Group berth

RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Brazil moved a step closer to qualifying for the Davis Cup World Group on Friday by taking a 2-0 lead in the best of five match against Russia in Sao Jose do Rio Preto.

World No. 41 Thomaz Bellucci awarded the hosts' second victory of the day with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7-4) winning score over Teymuraz Gabashvili.

Earlier, world No.115 Rogerio Dutra Silva took a 6-2, 6-1 lead against 96th-ranked Igor Andreev before the Russian retired complaining of a shoulder injury.

"It was a great result for both of us. We were able to capitalize on our home court advantage," Bellucci told SporTV.

Brazil can wrap up the tie on Saturday when Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares meet Alex Bogomolov and Stanislav Vovk in the doubles.

Brazil has not qualified for the Davis Cup World Group since 2003.