Spain end USA's Davis Cup hopes
Spain will face France in the semi-finals of the Davis Cup after ending the USA's hopes.
In Austin, Texas, David Ferrer earned Spain the rubber they needed to claim a 3-1 win over the hosts.With Rafael Nadal not part of the squad, Ferrer took on the tag of Spain's top player and lived up to it as he registered a 7-5 7-6 (7/3) 5-7 7-6 (7/5) victory over Mardy Fish.
"The match was very tough,'' Ferrer said.
"I was very strong mentally. It's a moment that is very, very special.''
Captain Albert Costa added of a semi-final match-up with the French: "Right now, I cannot think about France that's all I can tell you.
"We know that France is a great nation, great players. Let me enjoy this moment and next week we'll start to think about France.''
As a result of Ferrer's win, the final game between hometown favourite Andy Roddick and Feliciano Lopez was cancelled.
France had earlier completed a 4-1 win over Germany in Stuttgart.
They had already booked their place in the next round by opening a 3-0 lead in the tie on Saturday.
Philipp Petzschner ensured Germany avoided a whitewash by beating Michael Llodra 6-3 6-4 in the first of Sunday's dead rubbers, before Jo-Wilfried Tsonga saw off Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6 (7/3) 7-6 (7/5) to complete the tie.
Holders Serbia also progressed to the semi-finals on Sunday by seeing off Sweden.
With the Swedes having reduced the deficit in the tie to 2-1 by winning Saturday doubles, Janko Tipsarevic took on Michael Ryderstedt knowing victory in the first of the reverse singles would see his side into the last four.
And the bespectacled Serb did not disappoint as he won 6-2 7-5 6-3 in Halmstad.
Viktor Troicki then won the dead rubber to make the final score 4-1 to Serbia after Michael Lindstedt retired at the start of the third set with the match level at 3-6 6-4.
Tipsarevic told the tournament official website: "It feels really great. I know that Serbia was a huge favourite to win with Robin Soderling not here and Novak coming, but I'm happy to have helped my country once again get through to the semi-finals."
The Serbs will entertain Argentina, 5-0 victors over Kazakhstan on Saturday, in September's semi-finals.
Tipsarevic added: "If David Nalbandian comes in really good shape then I feel it's going to be really, really tricky.
"Whichever surface we choose I think it's going to be a really tough match."
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