Nalbandian and Canas put Argentina 2-1 ahead

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - David Nalbandian and Guillermo Canas gave Argentina a 2-1 lead over Sweden in their Davis Cup quarter-final on Saturday, beating Jonas Bjorkman and Robert Linstedt 7-5 6-4 6-4 in the doubles.

After a steady start, the Argentine pair broke doubles specialist Bjorkman's serve in the 11th game before Nalbandian held to wrap up the first set in 45 minutes.

Backed by a fanatical crowd on another unusually chilly morning and out to avenge last year's 4-1 defeat at the same stage of the competition, Argentina broke Linstedt's serve in the ninth game of the second set.

Canas then battled to hold his serve in the next game, wrapping up the set on his seventh set point after Sweden had failed to convert a break point.

Linstedt's serve was broken again in the third game of the third set as Argentina cruised to victory in two hours 17 minutes.