Davis Cup Quarterfinals Roundup
Russia, Spain, Argentina, USA Through to Davis Cup Semifinals
The Davis Cup quarterfinals took place last weekend as 8 nations including defending champion, USA, and 2007 runner-up, Russia, competed for a spot in the semifinals.
The Davis Cup quarterfinals weekend was packed with a series of epic five-setters and thriller matches be them doubles or singles, which left a well-entertained tennis audience in awe, worldwide.
Russia Battles Past Czech Republic
Russian Captain Shamil Tarpischev raised a lot of eyebrows when he decided to pitch Davis Cup hero, Marat Safin, in the opening rubber against world number 9, Tomas Berdych. Safin, who has slipped to number 86 in the world rankings, had only won a single match this season, yet was chosen over world number 4 and recently crowned Miami champion, Nikolay Davydenko, and world number 11, Mikhail Youzhny, to kick off the tie against the Czechs.
Luckily, 28-year-old Safin rose to the occasion as he pulled off an unbelievable comeback against Berdych, where he rallied back from 2 sets down to open the tally for the Russians in a little less than four hours of battling on court.
The tie was not settled however until divine intervention once again worked in the favor of Davydenko, who was handed a victory by Berdych, who twisted his ankle in the fifth set and was forced to retire. A feat that also happened to the Russian in the Davis Cup first round earlier this year against Novak Djokovic, who retired against Davydenko on the very same court.
Davydenko’s win gave Russia a third decisive point to advance to the semis and maintain its undefeated run at home since 1995.
USA Advances despite Bryans’ Defeat
The USA overcame a resilient French team as James Blake needed five sets to see off Paul-Henri Mathieu and make it 2-0, following Andy Roddick’s opening win over Michael Llodra.
The tie however was not in the Americans’ hands yet as French pair Llodra and Arnaud Clement stunned the Bryan brothers, who had only lost once before in their entire Davis Cup career.
It was world number 5, Roddick, who sealed the deal in the end for the USA, with a straight sets win over Mathieu.
Spain Seals Victory with Epic Doubles Rubber
The Spaniards led by world number 2, Rafael Nadal, earned a comfortable 4-1 win over their German opponents in Bremen. The tie however was not devoid of excitement as Spanish duo Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco came through a marathon doubles rubber against Philipp Kohlschreiber and Philipp Petzschner, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (1), 6-4, 2-6, 12-10.
Spain will host the USA for the semifinals in September and will be looking to avenge its quarterfinal loss to the Americans last year. The 2 countries have further history together as Spain edged past the USA to win the title in 2004, in front of a record home crowd in Sevilla.
Emotional Nalbandian Carries Argentina to Semis
World number 7, David Nalbandian overcame harsh conditions, fatigue and a stubborn Robin Soderling in a thriller fourth rubber, to grab a 6-4, 1-6, 4-6, 6-4, 9-7 win over the Swede and make it 3-1 for Argentina.
Nalbandian broke into tears following his victory that required over four hours of hustling on court in front of an ecstatic Argentine home crowd.
Argentina next faces Russia in Buenos Aires, where the home team has not lost in 10 years. The last time the two nations faced off was in the final in 2006 where Russia won 3-2 in Moscow.
Could Russia and USA overcome their semifinal opponents away from home, and have a rematch of last year’s final, or will the hosts have the upper hand and triumph on home ground?
