Related News
Spain on course for Davis Cup final
Source: Agencies |
September 16, 2012, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
DEFENDING champion Spain staked its claim to a place in another Davis Cup final by taking a 2-0 lead over the United States on Friday.
David Ferrer put the host ahead in the best-of-five series in Gijon with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 win over Sam Querrey. Nicolas Almagro followed up by defeating John Isner 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 despite a spirited performance from the American.
The other semifinal remains finely balanced with Argentina and the Czech Republic locked 1-1 after the opening singles in Buenos Aires.
An injured and emotional Juan Martin del Potro beat Radek Stepanek 6-4, 6-4, 6-2, but teammate Juan Monaco lost 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 4-6 to Tomas Berdych.
In Gijon, Ferrer and Almagro improved to 23-1 on clay in Davis Cup action.
Almagro overcame 25 aces from Isner, who saved three match points before hitting a forehand long to leave the defending champion one point away from it fourth final in five years.
The US has only overturned a 0-2 deficit once in 38 ties - in 1934 against Australia. Since the start of World Group play, Spain is 37-0 after winning both the opening singles.
"After the effort the Americans showed today, we know that final point won't be easy," Spain captain Alex Corretja said. "They've shown they've come here to give everything."
The US has to win yesterday's doubles to stay alive, and will feel confident about its chances with American brothers Mike and Bob Bryan facing Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez. The Bryan twins are 4-0 when the US is facing a 0-2 deficit, and are 5-0 against Spain.
Del Potro, who was told by doctors not to play with the inflamed left wrist, broke down crying afterward as he addressed cheering fans at the outdoor claycourt venue.
Stepanek suggested that Del Potro may have exaggerated the injury - a bit of gamesmanship - to gain Argentina an edge.
Argentina is trying to reach its fifth Davis Cup final. It has lost all four previous finals - a record - including a year ago against Spain.
Monaco led 4-2 in the fourth set and seemed en route to victory. But he promptly slumped to yet another defeat by US Open semifinalist Berdych.
Argentines Carlos Berlocq and Eduardo Schwank were facing Ivo Minar and Lukas Rosol in the doubles yesterday.
David Ferrer put the host ahead in the best-of-five series in Gijon with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 win over Sam Querrey. Nicolas Almagro followed up by defeating John Isner 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 despite a spirited performance from the American.
The other semifinal remains finely balanced with Argentina and the Czech Republic locked 1-1 after the opening singles in Buenos Aires.
An injured and emotional Juan Martin del Potro beat Radek Stepanek 6-4, 6-4, 6-2, but teammate Juan Monaco lost 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 4-6 to Tomas Berdych.
In Gijon, Ferrer and Almagro improved to 23-1 on clay in Davis Cup action.
Almagro overcame 25 aces from Isner, who saved three match points before hitting a forehand long to leave the defending champion one point away from it fourth final in five years.
The US has only overturned a 0-2 deficit once in 38 ties - in 1934 against Australia. Since the start of World Group play, Spain is 37-0 after winning both the opening singles.
"After the effort the Americans showed today, we know that final point won't be easy," Spain captain Alex Corretja said. "They've shown they've come here to give everything."
The US has to win yesterday's doubles to stay alive, and will feel confident about its chances with American brothers Mike and Bob Bryan facing Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez. The Bryan twins are 4-0 when the US is facing a 0-2 deficit, and are 5-0 against Spain.
Del Potro, who was told by doctors not to play with the inflamed left wrist, broke down crying afterward as he addressed cheering fans at the outdoor claycourt venue.
Stepanek suggested that Del Potro may have exaggerated the injury - a bit of gamesmanship - to gain Argentina an edge.
Argentina is trying to reach its fifth Davis Cup final. It has lost all four previous finals - a record - including a year ago against Spain.
Monaco led 4-2 in the fourth set and seemed en route to victory. But he promptly slumped to yet another defeat by US Open semifinalist Berdych.
Argentines Carlos Berlocq and Eduardo Schwank were facing Ivo Minar and Lukas Rosol in the doubles yesterday.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
