(adds details, quotes)
By Ori Lewis
TEL AVIV, Feb 9 - Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich
gave Israel a 2-1 lead over Sweden in their Davis Cup first
round tie with a 6-3 7-6 7-5 doubles win over Simon Aspelin and
Robert Lindstedt on Saturday.
Australian Open doubles champions Erlich and Ram put on a
thrilling display in bright sunshine to give Israel the
psychological edge ahead of Sunday's reverse singles.
After winning his singles match on Friday, Dudi Sela will
hope to wrap up the World Group tie against the seven-times
champions when he plays Thomas Johansson on Sunday. Harel Levy
will take on Jonas Bjorkman in the final match.
"We have put ourselves in a good position for tomorrow with
two chances to get the point we need," Israeli captain Eyal Ran
said.
The Israelis got off to a flying start after a sluggish
Aspelin lost his opening service game and Swedes never recovered
from the setback.
After a tight second set, Erlich and Ram showed their class
in the ensuing tiebreak to take it 7-3.
The players engaged in some thrilling net exchanges in the
third before the Swedes broke Ram to lead 4-2.
But with the crowd cheering them on, the Israelis recovered
to level for 4-4 by breaking Lindstedt before going on to win
the match.
"I think the confidence we generate to each other even in
tough situations is what gives us the opportunity to end up as
winners," Erlich said.
Ram thanked the crowd for helping them secure the win.
"The energy which they give us is difficult to describe...
when you get the momentum from the crowd you feel as if you are
flying, it can only happen here," Ram said.
Aspelin blamed his poor form as being the difference between
the teams.
"I lost my serve four times today, which can't happen, my
timing was off...that was the key to losing the match," he said.
The winner of the tie will take on either Argentina or
Britain in the quarter-finals in April.
(Editing by Pritha Sarkar)