Ferrer beats Wawrinka to seal victory for Spanish

Published on Sunday 7 March 2010 23:16

DAVID Ferrer swept Stanislas Wawrinka aside in straight sets to put defending champions Spain into the Davis Cup quarter-finals yesterday, while David Nalbandian secured Argentina's 3-2 victory over Sweden by beating Andreas Vinciguerra in the last match.

Serbia beat the United States and Russia ousted India a day after France, Croatia and the Czech Republic had sealed their places in the last eight with victories in Saturday's doubles. In a contest delayed by the earthquake and tsunami that hit Chile last month, Chile went into yesterday's doubles match leading Israel 2-0.

With Spain leading 2-1 against the Swiss going into yesterday's singles, the match effectively hinged on Ferrer's meeting with Wawrinka in the Logrono bullring. The Spaniard triumphed 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 to extend his country's unbeaten run at home to 19 ties, dating back to 1999.

"No other country has the standard of tennis we have in Spain," said Ferrer, who then saw Nicolas Almagro beat Marco Chiudinelli 6-1, 6-3 in the final match to complete a 4-1 victory. "We've played well in the home ties and that is crucial. What's more, we've done well in the doubles matches."

Both teams were without their best player, as Swiss No 1 Roger Federer skipped the event and Rafael Nadal is struggling with a knee injury.

Sweden and Argentina were level at 2-2 before Nalbandian won the final match 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to clinch the series at Stockholm's Royal Tennis Hall.

Nalbandian broke Vinciguerra for a 2-1 lead in the fourth set and held his serve the rest of the way, converting his first match point with a backhand winner.

"I didn't feel very fit yet, but today it was enough," said Nalbandian, who has been sidelined with injuries and made up his mind to play just ten minutes before the match. "I warmed up, and I felt worse than I thought. But with the flag behind us, it's tough to not be on court."

Novak Djokovic outlasted John Isner 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4 to give the Serbs an unbeatable 3-1 lead over the Americans in Belgrade. Now Serbia will face bitter Balkan rival Croatia for a place in the semi-finals.

It's the first time since 2005 that the US have been beaten in the first round – and also the first time that Serbia have made it past the first round in the World Group.

"I knew I had to play my best tennis to have a chance against Djokovic," Isner said. "He returns the serve real well, and my hat's off to him for the victory. I double-faulted on two important break points and that's what probably cost me the match."

Russia secured a quarter-final spot when Mikhail Youzhny completed a 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 victory over India's Somdev Devvarman to capture a 3-1 lead in Moscow. The Russians eventually won 3-2.