The new doubles pairing of Wayne Odesnik and Bobby Reynolds lifted the United States above defending champion Argentina, 2-1, at the ARAG ATP World Team Championship on Wednesday.

The reigning Davis Cup champions will have the opportunity to return to the final at the Rochusclub for the first time in 15 years should they defeat Sweden in their final round robin tie.

Reynolds and Odesnik, late additions to the U.S. squad and both making their tournament this week, held off a late charge by Argentines Lucas Arnold Ker and Sebastian Prieto to prevail 6-3, 6-7(5), 10-8 on Wednesday.

It marked the first time since 2001 that the U.S. had won two ties during the tournament week. The last time they won all three round robin ties was in 1993, when they clinched their fourth and final team title at the Rochusclub.

The two nations split their singles rubbers on Tuesday.

World No. 8 James Blake put the Americans on the board first, defeating Guillermo Canas 7-6(4), 6-4. He saved two break points in each of the sets, and converted on one of his six opportunities in the second set to post the win in one hour and 32 minutes.

“Though I lost the match against [Czech Tomas] Berdych in two tiebreakers, it gave me confidence on clay,” said Blake, who improved to a 3-8 singles record in Duesseldorf. “Today I played my best tennis. I was patient when needed, and Canas made a few more mistakes than usual. I'm improving on clay, move better as well."

Juan Ignacio Chela countered with a 7-5, 6-1 win against Wayne Odesnik to keep Argentina in the tie. Odesnik took the early lead in the match, but Chela pulled away as he broke the American’s serve seven times.

Both teams were also extended to a live doubles rubber in ther opening round robin ties. Blake and Odesnik teamed up to clinch the win against last year’s finalists, the Czech Republic, while Arnold Ker and Prieto lost their match against Sweden.

Coming into the tie, the U.S. had won just one of their previous nine meetings against Argentina at the ARAG ATP World Team Championship.