Gijon, Spain (Sports Network) - Spain is back in the Davis Cup final after
David Ferrer earned the clinching point in the defending champions' semifinal
tie against the United States with a four-set win over American John Isner in
the first reserve singles match.
Ferrer rebounded from an early deficit and claimed a 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
victory on Sunday to give the host nation an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the
best-of-five tie.
The Spaniards had opened a 2-0 lead on Friday after singles wins by Ferrer and
Nicolas Almagro, but the Americans stayed alive Saturday thanks to a doubles
victory by Mike and Bob Bryan.
Isner, the hero of the first two U.S. Davis Cup victories this year, tried to
continue the comeback on Sunday and took the first set in a tiebreaker, but
Ferrer broke twice in the second set, then picked up the lone break in the
third for a 4-3 lead and dominated the fourth set.
After Isner held serve in the first game of the fourth, Ferrer took control by
winning the next five. Isner managed to hold once more before Ferrer closed it
out and improved to 21-4 all-time in Davis Cup singles, including 16-0 on
clay.
The Spaniards, playing this weekend without injured superstar Rafael Nadal,
still reached their seventh Davis Cup final since winning the coveted trophy
for the first time in 2000. They also won in 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2011, while
falling in the 2003 title series.
Next up will be either Argentina or the Czech Republic in November. The Czechs
entered Sunday's reverse singles in Buenos Aires with a 2-1 edge.
Spain beat Argentina for the title last year and topped the Czechs in the 2009
final.
The Spaniards also continued their home dominance in Davis Cup play, winning
their 24th straight tie on native soil dating back to a 1999 loss to Brazil.
Spain improved to 6-5 against the U.S. in Davis Cup play, winning the last
three matchups.
It was a good run for the Americans, who had beaten Switzerland and France on
clay in the first two Davis Cup ties earlier this year. The U.S. won the last
of its record 32 Davis Cup titles in 2007.
The Sports Network