The Argentines are 2-1 down in the semi-final

Argentine pair Lukas Arnold and David Nalbandian won a marathon final set 19-17 to wrap up a five set victory over Russia in Saturday's Davis Cup semi-final in Moscow.

The 6-4 6-4 5-7 3-6 19-17 victory over Marat Safin and Yevgeny Kafelnikov put Argentina back into contention in the three-day tie after the Russians took a 2-0 lead in Friday's singles.

The Russians are bidding to clinch their first ever Davis Cup title as Kafelnikov prepares for retirement.

Saturday's match, which took six hours 21 minutes, was just one minute short of the longest Davis Cup encounter ever - a singles match between John McEnroe and Mats Wilander in 1982.

The Argentines finally clinched victory by breaking Kafelnikov's serve in the 36th game of the fifth set, which lasted for three hours and six minutes.

The winner of this best-of-five semi will face either France or the United States in the final.

France lead USA 2-1 after James Blake and Todd Martin beat French pair Mickael Llodra and Fabrice Santoro 2-6 7-6 2-6 6-4 6-4 in Saturday's doubles at Roland Garros.