Rank outsiders Belgium beat Switzerland 3-2 to reach their first semi-final for 42 years. They will meet France, who vanquished Brazil by the same scoreline.

Russia overcame Slovakia -- also by the narrowest margin -- and will go into battle against Australia in their last four match.

World number two Rafter outlasted eighth-ranked Martin 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, here on Sunday after a neutral doctor rejected a United States appeal to have Wimbledon winner Pete Sampras replace Martin.

Aussie Lleyton Hewitt beat Alex O'Brien 7-5, 6-4, in a dead rubber to complete a 4-1 quarter-final tie triumph. Australia will host Russia in September, likely on grass.

Rafter won 16 of the final 19 points to rally from a 4-2 fifth-set deficit and capture his 11th consecutive victory in five-set matches, outlastingMartin in three hours and 14 minutes.

``This is one of the most enjoyable occassions I've ever had,'' Rafter said. ``It will sink in in the next few days.''

Rafter, set to become world number one in eight days, hugged Newcombe as he walked off the court and was carried out of the stadium on the shoulders of his joyous teammates.

Rafter only learned his foe's identity 20 minutes before the match, a factor Aussie captain John Newcombe called ``a very unfair situation. It definitely preyed on him out there. He was tight for two sets.''

``I was starting to get pretty fed up,'' Rafter said. ``I wanted to know who the hell I was playing. He looked very pale at the beginning. But he came out firing and I knew I had a battle on my hands.''

Martin, who took intravenous fluids before the match, said he was unable to play after temperatures on court reached 50 degrees centigrade during his workout. ``When I walked into the locker room I didn't have my bearings,'' Martin said. ``Unfortunately I sat down infront of a mirror. I didn't like how I looked and didn't like how I felt after five minutes of rest.

``I didn't feel like I was fit to play. I was obviously fit to play. But I also felt like I was putting myself at risk. I didn't know I could play the whole way until very close to the end.''

US team physician David Altcheck, the ATP Tour medical director, also said Martin was disoriented and should not play.

Tie neutral doctor Rich Paul, a member here at Longwood Cricket Club, in effect declared Martin a lying faker by finding him fit to play after observing him and asking him some questions. The ruling stunned Altcheck.

``He seemed to agree (with me),'' Altcheck said. ``Clearly he did not disagree. I still don't understand.''

Paul was not available after the match to discuss his decision. Rafter dismissed the idea Martin faked heat exhaustion.

``Todd is the finest guy. We all respect him,'' Rafter said. ``I knew it was legitimate coming from him. You're not going to get a better sportsman in theworld. I never saw Todd trying to pull something on me.''

US captain Tom Gullikson made subterfuge an issue by saying Saturday that Sampras might be substituted, knowing under Cup rules only injury could be an excuse and a switch bid would be seen as poor sportsmanship.

``I don't want to get into it,'' Newcombe said. ``It speaks for itself.''

Sampras, who said before the tie he would play only doubles here, sped to the court to warm up before Paul's ruling kept him out.

``If we had been trying to cheat, he would have had eight racquets strung and been ready to play,'' Gullikson said.

``Todd wasn't feeling great,'' Sampras said. ``I was ready. The doctors got involved and Todd was forced to play. He has shown a lot of heart out there and that's what it's about.''