JOIN USSpain take firm control over US
Holders Spain are within a point of reaching a fourth Davis Cup final in five years after David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro secured contrasting singles victories over Americans Sam Querrey and John Isner on Friday.
Ferrer recovered from a first-set wobble to score an ultimately comfortable 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 win against Querrey on the clay in Gijon before Almagro dug deep to see off a tiring Isner 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in the semifinals.
The towering Isner, who appeared to be suffering from cramp towards the end of a thrilling match, several times needed his powerful serve to stay in contention and saved three match points earlier in the deciding set before capitulating. Almagro collapsed to the ground when an Isner forehand flew long on the fourth match point before climbing to his feet and kissing his racket as the raucous crowd celebrated around the purpose-built outdoor arena in the northern Spanish city.
It was 12th-ranked Almagro's second win in two matches against number 10 Isner.
Ferrer is leading the Spanish bid for a place in November's final in the absence of the injured Rafael Nadal and his victory was his 15th in 15 Davis Cup singles rubbers on clay and his 20th in 24 matches overall.
Juan Martin Del Potro gave Argentina a 1-0 lead in Buenos Aires when he thumped Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 on Friday.
Result (semifinals): 1-Spain lead 6-US 2-0 (David Ferrer bt Sam Querrey 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4; Nicolas Almagro bt John Isner 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5); 2-Argentina lead 5-Czech Republic 1- 0 (Juan Martin del Potro bt Radek Stepanek 6-4, 6-4, 6-2).