Sampras made it the final of the clay tournament in Houston last month but had since failed to shine on his least favourite surface.

His victory over Canas was far from convincing but Sampras was just happy to be back on the winning trail.

"It was as close as it's going to get," said the American. "At 5-5 in the breaker anything can happen.

Bjorkman and Enqvist then took the crucial doubles against Clement and Escude, winning 6-3 4-6 10-3.

France still lead the Red Group ahead of Sweden, Argentina and the United States, but with all teams having lost one tie each, the winners will be decided by the final round of matches.

World Team Cup results

United States bt Argentina 2-1
Andy Roddick (US) bt Jose Acasuso (Argentina) 6-3, 6-2
Pete Sampras (US) bt Guillermo Canas (Argentina) 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (7/5)
Lucas Arnold/Gaston Etlis (Arg) bt James Blake/Jared Palmer (USA) 7-5, 6-2

Sweden bt France 2-1
Thomas Enqvist (Swe) bt Nicolas Escude (Fra) 6-4, 6-4
Arnaud Clement (Fra) bt Jonas Bjorkman (Swe) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4
Jonas Bjorkman/Thomas Enqvist (Swe) bt Arnaud Clement/Nicolas Escude (Fra) 6-3, 4-6, 10-3 (super tiebreak)

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