MALMO, Sweden(AP) In a stadium without spectators, Dudi Sela outlasted Andreas Vinciguerra 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 11-9 to pull Israel even with Sweden in the Davis Cup on Friday.
The match was played without fans because of Swedish organizers' fears of demonstrations and protests against Israel due to the recent offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Only a few dozen guests were allowed inside the 4,000-seat Baltic Hall arena. Applause echoed amid rows of empty chairs, in sharp contrast to the normally raucous atmosphere at Davis Cup matches.
The loudest cheers came from a handful of Israel fans from London, who found a way around the ban.
We managed to get invited as special guests of the Israeli team,'' said Jonathan Stoller, 26.We didn't want to come all the way to Malmo without watching tennis.''
Sela said it was disappointing to play before rows of empty seats in the desolate arena, but added: ``It was nice that there were some supporters at least.''
Thomas Johansson returned from injury to beat Harel Levy 6-7 (3), 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 8-6 in the opening match.
Johansson had been sidelined since October because of a foot injury, and his lack of practice showed. He had 65 unforced errors - 20 in the first set.
``I'm completely exhausted. I emptied everything I had,'' Johansson said with his left foot wrapped in ice.
Outside the tightly guarded arena, a handful of protesters held up a Palestinian flag and signs saying ``stop the match.'' Police said the protest was peaceful.
Malmo officials decided against fans, saying they couldn't guarantee security at the venue. The decision was criticized by both teams and the International Tennis Federation.
``I think Malmo should have stopped the match completely, but to play in an empty arena is a half victory,'' protester Oscar Schon told The Associated Press.
It was the second time a Davis Cup series was played without fans in Sweden. In 1975, two years after a military coup in Chile led by Augusto Pinochet, Sweden played Chile in an empty stadium in Bastad.