Davis Cup champion Argentina loses at home to Italy

Argentina's defense of its Davis Cup title came to an abrupt end on Monday when it lost in the first round of the competition to Italy.

Italian star Fabio Fognini came from two sets down to beat Argentina's Guido Pella in Buenos Aires and give his country a 3-2 victory.

Fognini, ranked 48 in ATP rankings, defeated No. 84 Pella 2-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in four hours and 15 minutes of play.

The series took place in the Argentinean capital's Sarmiento Park, with football legend Diego Maradona in the stands.

Fognini began the game poorly and Pella took an early lead. However, despite massive pressure from the home crowd, Fognini made an epic comeback to give Italy the win.

Argentina was crowned Davis Cup champion for the first time last November. But this year, it began the first round without its two main players, Juan Martin del Potro and Federico Delbonis.

On Friday, Italy stormed to a 2-0 lead when Paolo Lorenzi easily beat Pella and Andreas Seppi claimed a tight match against Carlos Berlocq.

Argentina fought back to 2-2 over the weekend. On Saturday, its Berlocq-Leonardo Mayer pair beat Fognini and Simone Belelli. On Sunday, Berlocq took out Lorenzi.

Italy will face Belgium on Apr. 7-9 in the quarter-finals.

Argentina will face a play-off against a yet-undetermined opponent in September to maintain its status in the Davis Cup's top group. Endit