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Potchefstroom - Robin Haase fought back from a set down to claim a 6-7, 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 win over South African Rik de Voest in the opening singles match of the Euro-Africa Group One Davis Cup tie in Potchefstroom on Friday.
Haase managed his temper and disagreements with line judges and the chair umpire to overcome the South African.
In the first set, De Voest lost his opening service game to give Haase an early lead.
The South African worked his way back into the match, however, with defensive returns that frustrated the Dutch player.
In the fifth game De Voest hit a forehand winner that hit the line with the scores 30-30. Haase complained loudly to the chair umpire.
"It was 20cm out at least, everybody saw that," said Haase.
De Voest broke in the next game to level the scores at three-all in the set.
Both players held serve as the set went into a tie-break, and the South African's composure saw him through as he took the breaker 7-5.
Haase began the second set by losing his serve as his frustration mounted.
The Dutchman soon regained his composure, however, as he broke De Voest twice in the set with the South African struggling with his serve. Haase took the set 6-3.
In the third set Haase found his range with his serve and forehand and the South African had no reply and was thrashed 6-0.
The scores were level at 4-4 in the fourth set when the Dutch No 1 broke the South African No 2.
Haase managed to serve out the match and give the Dutch a 1-0 lead in the tie.
South African No 1 Kevin Anderson was set to face Thomas Schoorel in the second singles match later Friday.
