Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer lead Spain to Davis Cup win

Spain made it 28 Davis Cup home wins in a row as they came from behind to beat Germany in the quarter-finals in Valencia.
Germany started Sunday with a 2-1 lead after Tim Puetz and Jan-Lennard Struff secured a five-set win over Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez in the doubles on Saturday.
It meant Rafael Nadal had to win his rubber against Alexander Zverev to keep the hosts in the tie and he did it in stunning fashion as he humbled the 20-year-old 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 in the first match of the day.
It was then up to David Ferrer and Philipp Kohlschreiber to win it for either country and it was veteran Ferrer who came out on top in a five-set marathon that was just five minutes shy of five hours.
The final score was 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 7-5 in Spain’s favour.
That’s it! @DavidFerrer87 defeats Philipp Kohlschreiber 76(1) 36 76(4) 46 75 to book Spain’s place in the #DavisCup semifinals! Cue celebrations…
????3????2?????? pic.twitter.com/SD7ExrgiLQ
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) April 8, 2018
The five-time winners will face France in the semi-finals after the reigning champions beat Italy 3-1 with Lucas Pouille claiming the decisive 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 win over Fabio Fognini on Sunday.
Win on Italian soil for the first time since 1927 ?
Win 6 straight ties for the 4th time in history ?
Progress to the semifinals ?The reigning champions march on.
???? 1???3?????#DavisCup pic.twitter.com/XNIy7cp87Z
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) April 8, 2018
Meanwhile, Croatia set up a last-four clash with the United States as they beat Kazakhstan with Marin Cilic completing the 3-1 win over with a straightforward 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Mikhail Kukushkin.
Croatia defeat Kazakhstan!@cilic_marin dominates for a 61 61 61 win over Kukushkin.#DavisCup pic.twitter.com/cCtoStl9oQ
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) April 8, 2018
The United States secured their place in the next round with a 4-0 win over Belgium with Ryan Harrison defeating Ruben Bemelmans 6-3, 6-4 in a shortened match on Sunday.
Latest
-
Wimbledon
Heartbroken Matteo Berrettini’s Wimbledon ‘dream is over for this year’ after positive Covid-19 test
Matteo Berrettini vows to come back stronger.
-
Live Tennis
Wimbledon day two: Follow the action from SW19 with Tennis365’s live scores and results centre here…
Catch the action from Wimbledon with our live scores and results centre…
-
Wimbledon
John McEnroe cautions ‘it could get tiring’ for Rafael Nadal’s opponents to hear about his foot injury
John McEnroe never one to mince his words.
-
Wimbledon
John McEnroe and Sue Barker under fire after sending ‘love’ to Boris Becker during Wimbledon coverage
John McEnroe and Sue Barker’s comments have not gone down well.
-
Wimbledon
Andy Murray explains why underarm serve is ‘tactically smart play’ as he insists it is not disrespectful
Andy Murray happy to use the underarm serve.
-
Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios confident ahead of Wimbledon opener: ‘I’ve made top-10 players look pretty ordinary this year’
Nick Kyrgios upbeat ahead of Wimbledon first-round match.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon TV, streaming info: How to watch Iga Swiatek, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams matches on Tuesday
Your day two Wimbledon TV, streaming and order of play guide.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon day one: Andy Murray digs deep and Emma Raducanu thrills on Centre Court
Two brief suspensions due to rain failed to dampen spirits on day one at the All England Club.
-
Wimbledon
Andy Murray hoping for more matches on Centre Court after first round win
Wimbledon is willing on another Andy Murray run.
-
Wimbledon
Carlos Alcaraz admits he has to improve after first round struggle
Carlos Alcaraz claims he needs to find his level on grass.