SPAIN KEPT THEIR Davis Cup defence on track on today, qualifying for their sixth final in 10 years at the expense of the USA.
Leading 2-1 heading into the final two singles rubbers, world number five David Ferrer booked Spain’s place in the decider with a 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-4 6-2 triumph over John Isner in Gijon.
The result gave the hosts an unassailable 3-1 lead in the tie.
After dropping the first set in a tie-breaker, Ferrer reigned supreme for the remainder of the match, dominating the world number 10 en route to his 16th successive Davis Cup win on clay.
Spain’s opponents in November’s final will be the Czech Republic, who took a 3-1 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aries.
The Czechs were in the box seat to progress when Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych’s win in Saturday’s doubles over Carlos Berlocq and Eduardo Schwank put them 2-1 ahead.
With Argentine number one Juan Martin del Potro pulling out of his match with Berdych due to injury, the hosts faced an even more difficult task to turn the tables.
Berlocq stepped into the breach to face Berdych, but the world number six – fresh from his US Open upset over Roger Federer – had few problems in taking a 6-3 6-3 6-4 win to give the Czechs a 3-1 lead.
The final will be a replay of the 2009 decider, in which Spain posted a 5-0 whitewash in Barcelona, but will be staged in the Czech Republic.
