DAVIS CUP: Spain defeats the United States, 3-1

Written by: Staff on 16th September 2012

DAVIS CUP: Spain defeats the United States, 3-1

epa03398106 John Isner from the USA returns the ball to Spain's Nicolas Almagro during their Davis Cup semi final match between Spain and the USA in Gijon, northern Spain, 14 September 2012. EPA/J.L. CEREIJIDO |

The United States lost to Spain today, 3-1, in the 2012 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Semifinal, held on an outdoor red clay court at the Parque Hermanos Castro in Gijon, Spain.

In the first and only rubber of the day, John Isner lost to David Ferrer, 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, causing Ferrer to clinch the semifinal for Spain and send Spain to their fourth Davis Cup final in five years. Isner was undefeated in this year’s Davis Cup before playing in Spain, going 4-0 in the two previous ties that were all played on clay and hosted in another country. Ferrer remains unbeaten on clay in Davis Cup competition (16-0). Isner and Ferrer had never faced each other on clay in ATP tournaments or in Davis Cup ties before today.

Following the third singles rubber, U.S. Davis Cup Captain ,Jim Courier and Spanish Davis Cup Captain Alex Corretja decided not to play the final rubber, which was scheduled to be Sam Querrey against Nicolas Almagro.

With today’s win, Spain leads the U.S. 6-5 in Davis Cup competition and is one of eight countries to have faced the U.S. more than 10 times. The United States now holds a 212-66 overall record in Davis Cup (77-45 in away ties) and is 1-38 when trailing 0-2 after the first day of play.

WHAT’S NEXT

The draw for the 2013 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas will take place this Wednesday, September 19, in London at 11 a.m. local time (6 a.m. ET). The United States will be a seeded country.

SPAIN DEFEATS THE U.S., 3-1

DAY/LOCAL TIME EVENT DETAILS/PAIRING SCORE

Friday, 12 p.m. Singles A: David Ferrer (ESP) def. Sam Querrey (USA) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4

Singles B: Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. John Isner (USA) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5

Saturday, 2 p.m. Doubles: Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan (USA) 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-5

def. Marcel Granollers/Marc Lopez (ESP)

Sunday, 12 p.m. Singles C: David Ferrer (ESP) def. John Isner (USA) 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2

Singles D: Sam Querrey (USA) vs. Nicolas Almagro (ESP) Not played

DAVIS CUP SCOREBOARD

The Czech Republic leads Argentina, 2-1, in the other World Group Semifinal, held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych, who defeated Roger Federer in the 2012 US Open, will face Argentina’s Carlos Berlocq in the first singles rubber of the day. Berlocq replaces Argentina No. 1 Juan Martin Del Potro, who suffered a wrist injury after winning his Davis Cup match on Friday. Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek will play Argentina’s Juan Monaco in the other singles rubber. Spain will not host the Davis Cup Final in November and will travel to either the Czech Republic or Argentina.

WORLD GROUP PLAYOFFS

Result Score

Belgium def. Sweden 5-0

Brazil def. Russia 3-0

Germany def. Australia 3-2

Israel def. Japan 3-2

Italy def. Chile 4-1

Kazakhstan def. Uzbekistan 3-1

Switzerland def. Netherlands 3-2

Canada leads South Africa 2-1

QUOTES FROM THE FINAL DAY OF PLAY

U.S. DAVIS CUP CAPTAIN JIM COURIER

“I think it was a great battle between two of the best teams in the world. Spain is the high watermark in Davis Cup in the last 15 years and we knew it was going to be a very tricky tie for us and we were close. All of us who live in tennis know that there are always a few points that make big differences and the Spaniards found a way to win some key points in the three matches that they won.”

“There is a lot for this team to be proud of and what we have achieved this year—the way we have approached it, attacked it and the draw, the obstacles we have had. We are proud of our effort and we salute the Spanish team for their efforts and their victory. Two great teams went out there and competed and it was very close. The team that played better when they needed to won the matches.”

“It has been a very positive year for us on the U.S. Davis Cup Team. We have been given the most difficult draw that you can have in this era to play the teams we have on the road. We had some great wins and we had some competitive losses.”

JOHN ISNER

“It is disappointing; the Spanish team in my opinion is just too good. They won the important points and it is a bit discouraging for me. I wanted to contribute in the ways that I did in the first two ties and I wasn’t able to do it. That is a credit to Almagro and Ferrer, they were both better than me.”

Topics: David Ferrer, Jim Courier, John Isner, Nicolas Almagro, Sam Querrey, Spanish Davis Cup, Sports, Tennis News, United States Davis Cup