Spain Defeats Switzerland 4-1
R4 – David Ferrer (ESP) def. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 6-2 6-4 6-0
R5 – Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) 6-1 6-3

Czech Republic Beats Belgium 4-1
R4 – Steve Darcis (BEL) def. Jan Hajek (CZE) 7-6(6) 1-6 6-4
R5 – Lukas Dlouhy (CZE) def. Christophe Rochus (BEL) 1-6 7-6(3) 7-5

France Beats Germany 4-1
R4 – Simon Greul (GER) def. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 4-6 6-2 1-0 RET. (foot)
R5 – Julien Benneteau (FRA) def. Benjamin Becker (GER) 6-2 7-5

Serbia Beats USA 3-2
R4 - Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. John Isner (USA) 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-7(6) 6-4
R5 - Sam Querrey (USA) def. Viktor Troicki (SRB) 7-5 6-2

Russia Beats India 3-2
R4 – Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. Somdev Devvarman (IND) 6-2 6-1 6-3
R5 – Rohan Bopanna (IND) def. Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 7-6(5) 6-4

Argentina Beats Sweden 3-2
R4 – Robin Soderling def. Leonardo Mayer 6-2 7-6(4) 7-6(5)
R5 – David Nalbandian def. Andreas Vinciguerra 7-5 6-3 4-6 6-4

Croatia Beats Ecuador 5-0
R4 – Antonia Veic (CRO) def. Julio-Cesar Campozano (ECU) 6-4 7-6(4)
R5 – Ivan Dodig (CRO) def. Ivan Endara (ECU) 6-1 6-3

Chile Leads Israel 2-1
R3 – J. Erlich (ISR)/A. Ram (ISR) def. J. Aguilar (CHI)/P. Capdeville (CHI) 6-7(5) 7-6(9) 2-6 6-1 6-0

David Ferrer helped Spain advance into the Davis Cup quarterfinals against France and thus begins Spain’s road to its second-consecutive title defense. Ferrer took no time in taking apart Stanislas Wawrinka and any Swiss hopes with a 6-2 6-4 6-0 victory. Nicolas Almagro finished up strong in his emphatic victory over Marco Chiudinelli at 6-1 6-3 after 75 minutes of play.

It goes to show how deep Team Spain is. Even without Rafael Nadal, Fernando Verdasco and Juan Carlos Ferrero, they still were able to advance comfortably. Hopefully, Spain will be much healthier in their quarterfinal matchup.

Team Spain is much deeper than France. France could be a formidable foe if Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga can stay healthy and play well. Team France now has a great doubles partnership in Michael Llodra and Julien Benneteau, which can now handle any of the Spanish pairings.

Tsonga had to retire with a mild foot injury in his dead rubber match against German Simon Greul this afternoon. Why Guy Forget would play Tsonga in a dead rubber matchup seems kind of crazy to me. Luckily, they won the first round in their first-three matches. If they were in a dogfight with Spain, this would definitely be a problem. Injuries are really France’s Achilles heel.

No matter what happens, the France-Spain matchup in July will be entertaining.

Sunday’s Results
R4 – David Ferrer (ESP) def. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 6-2 6-4 6-0
R5 – Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) 6-1 6-3

(Image: AP)

Argentina thought it would lose this weekend without their star players of Juan Martin del Potro, Juan Monaco and David Nalbandian. Nalbandian attended the Davis Cup tie as a cheerleader because of a recent leg injury.

On the first day, Argentina was able to split the singles rubbers. Argentina then activated Nalbandian for doubles with Horacio Zeballos the following day. The pairing proved to be successful, and they beat the Swedes in straight sets. Robin Soderling then came out today and defeated Leonardo Mayer 6-2 7-6(4) 7-6(5) to level the Davis Cup tie at 2-2.

The tie would be decided in the final rubber. Argentine coach Tito Vazquez activated Nalbandian again to face Andreas Vinciguerra. The Argentine veteran took the first-two sets. The Swede cleaned up his game in the third set to keep even with Nalbandian and broke in game 10 to keep hope alive.

Vinciguerra had a lot of momentum in the beginning of the fourth set. The Argentine stomped on Vinciguerra’s momentum by breaking in game three after Nalbandian came up with a couple of huge returns and went up 2-1. Nalbandian never looked back and beat the Swede 7-5 6-3 4-6 6-4 to clinch the first-round tie for Argentina.

Team Argentina will meet Russia in the quarterfinals in July. If Russia can get back Nikolay Davydenko and Argentina can get back Juan Martin del Potro and Juan Monaco, that quarterfinal could be highly entertaining.

Sunday’s Results
R4 – Robin Soderling (SWE) def. Leonardo Mayer (ARG) 6-2 7-6(4) 7-6(5)
R5 – David Nalbandian (ARG) def. Andreas Vinciguerra (SWE) 7-5 6-3 4-6 6-4

(Image: AP)

After the USA’s triumph yesterday in doubles, Novak Djokovic was forced to win it on his racket. Unfortunately for the Serb, John Isner really brought it to the current world no. 2 this afternoon in Belgrade.

Djokovic struggled early on his serve, which made it a long day at the office for the Serb against the big-serving American. Luckily the Serb has other things to rely on. After a couple of broken rackets and a code violation, the Serb eventually prevailed with a 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-7(6) 6-4 triumph after being on the court for 4 hours and 16 minutes. The Serbs now progress into their first Davis Cup quarterfinal.

The US actually played pretty well this weekend without its veterans and on clay. I have been frustrated with the development of the current crop of American players – a group of players with big serves and forehands and nothing else, who ridiculously do not play on clay. Sam Querrey and especially John Isner played pretty admirably this weekend, so let’s hope Isner and Querrey can build on this experience.

Sunday's Results
R4 - Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. John Isner (USA) 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-7(6) 6-4
R5 - Sam Querrey (USA) def. Viktor Troicki (SRB) 7-5 6-2

(Images: AP)

After the first day of Davis Cup play, Russia went up 2-0 and found itself clearly in the drivers seat. On Saturday, India played its experienced doubles team of Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes. Bhupathi and Paes were able to give India a lifeline after their straight-set victory over Igor Kunitsyn and Teimuraz Gabashvili.

Looking to close, Mikhail Youzhny was able to shut it down today with his 6-2 6-1 6-3 win over Somdev Devvarman. Russia now advances to play Argentina. If Argentina can get healthy, this could be a problematic matchup for the Russians.

Sunday’s Results
R4 – Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. Somdev Devvarman (IND) 6-2 6-1 6-3
R5 – Rohan Bopanna (IND) def. Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 7-6(5) 6-4

(Image: AP)

Spain Leads Switzerland 2-1
R3 – M. Granollers (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) def. Y. Allegro (SUI)/S. Wawrinka (SUI) 7-6(8) 6-2 4-6 6-4

Czech Republic Beats Belgium 3-0
R3 – T. Berdych (CZE)/R. Stepanek (CZE) def. S. Darcis (BEL)/O. Rochus (BEL) 7-6(0) 6-0 6-3

France Beats Germany 3-0
R3 – J. Benneteau (FRA)/M. Llodra (FRA) def. C. Kas (GER)/P. Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-1 6-4 1-6 7-5

Serbia Leads USA 2-1
R3 – B. Bryan (USA)/J. Isner (USA) def. J. Tipsarevic (SRB)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) 7-6(8) 5-7 7-6(8) 6-3

Russia Leads India 2-1
R3 – M. Bhupathi (IND)/L. Paes (IND) def. I. Kunitsyn (RUS)/T. Gabashvili (RUS) 6-3 6-2 6-2

Argentina Leads Sweden 2-1
R3 – D. Nalbandian (ARG)/H. Zeballos (ARG) def. R. Lindstedt (SWE)/R. Soderling (SWE) 6-2 7-6(4) 7-6(5)

Croatia Beats Ecuador 3-0
R3 – M Cilic (CRO)/I. Karlovic (CRO) def. G. Lapentti (ECU)/N. Lapentti (ECU) 7-6(3) 6-3 7-5

Chile Leads Israel 2-0
R1 – Nicolas Massu (CHI) def. Dudi Sela (ISR) 4-6 6-2 6-2 6-4
R2 – Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) def. Harel Levy (ISR) 2-6 6-3 6-4 6-4

Chile is perhaps the sentimental favorite this weekend after the country suffered from a devastating earthquake. Despite the widespread wreckage, the Chileans were able to still stage the event but at a one day delay.

After slow starts, Nicolas Massu and Fernando Gonzalez won their openers to the hometown crowd’s delight. Chile now leads Israel 2-0.

Gonzalez and Massu will team up tomorrow against the Israeli doubles team of Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich. The Israeli doubles team could be trouble for the Chileans. Even with a doubles loss tomorrow, Gonzalez and Massu should be able to shut it down in the reverse single rubbers on Monday.

Saturday’s Results
R1 – Nicolas Massu (CHI) def. Dudi Sela (ISR) 4-6 6-2 6-2 6-4
R2 – Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) def. Harel Levy (ISR) 2-6 6-3 6-4 6-4

(Images: AP)

Tommy Robredo and Marcel Ganollers triumphed over Stanislas Wawrinka and Yves Allegro by winning 7-6(8) 6-2 4-6 6-4. The Spaniards now have some breathing room and lead 2-1 over Switzerland. They just need one victory tomorrow.

David Ferrer has good odds over Wawrinka, but the second-ranked Swiss can be trouble. Should Ferrer lose, Nicolas Almagro should be able to take out Marco Chiudinelli.

Saturday’s Results
R3 – M. Granollers (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) def. Y. Allegro (SUI)/S. Wawrinka (SUI) 7-6(8) 6-2 4-6 6-4

(Image: AP)

France was pretty efficient in its 3-0 victory over Germany. Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra defeated Christopher Kas and Philipp Kohlschreiber.

It looked like the French team would blow out the Germans when they won the first set 6-1, but Kas and Kohlschreiber slowly worked their way into the match. The Germans then returned the favor in the third set when they won it 6-1, but Llodra and Benneteau buttoned it up in the fourth. The French duo kept it close and then broke on the Kas serve for a 6-1 6-4 1-6 7-5 victory.

France now waits for the winner of the Spain-Switzerland duel. Their opponent will most likely be Spain. This French line-up looked good this weekend and could perhaps give Spain some trouble if there are no French flake outs.

Saturday’s Results
R3 – J. Benneteau (FRA)/M. Llodra (FRA) def. C. Kas (GER)/P. Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-1 6-4 1-6 7-5

(Image: AP)

After their singles victories yesterday, Marin Cilic and Ivo Karlovic teamed up to play doubles against Nicolas Lapentti and Giovanni Lapentti in Varazdin, Croatia. The Croatian twin towers proved too much for the Brothers Lapentti and surpassed the Ecuadorian team 7-6(3) 6-3 7-5 to clinch a quarterfinal spot.

The Croatians now wait for the winner of the Serbia-USA tie. Serbia and the US are still duking it out in Belgrade. The US managed to win doubles today to keep hope alive. Novak Djokovic looks to secure Serbia’s first Davis Cup quarterfinal berth on his racket tomorrow.

Saturday’s Results
R3 – M Cilic (CRO)/I. Karlovic (CRO) def. G. Lapentti (ECU)/N. Lapentti (ECU) 7-6(3) 6-3 7-5

(Image: AP)

Czech Coach Jaroslav Navratil activated double trouble to play doubles today. Lukas Dlouhy and Jan Hajek were slated to play for the Czech Republic, but it looks like the Czechs went with what was tried and true.

Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek were back to crushing dreams this afternoon in Belgium. They had an impressive victory over Steve Darcis and Olivier Rochus and beat the Belgians 6-3 6-0 6-4. The win allows the Czechs to advance into the Davis Cup quarterfinals. The Czech Republic now awaits the winner of the Chile-Israel match.

Saturday’s Results
R3 – T. Berdych (CZE)/R. Stepanek (CZE) def. S. Darcis (BEL)/O. Rochus (BEL) 7-6(0) 6-0 6-3

(Image: AP)

Gael Monfils get Frenchie love from teammates Julien Benneteau and Richard Gasquet after his straight-sets victory against Philipp Kohlshreiber.

(Image: AP)

Spain Tied Switzerland 1-1
R1 – Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) def. Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 3-6 6-4 3-6 7-5 6-3
R2 – David Ferrer (ESP) def. Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) 6-2 7-6(5) 6-1

Czech Republic Leads Belgium 2-0
R1 – Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. Oliver Rochus (BEL) 6-3 6-0 6-4
R2 – Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. Xavier Malisse (BEL) 6-2 6-4 7-6(3)

France Leads Germany 2-0
R1 – Gael Monfils (FRA) def. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-1 6-4 7-6(5)
R2 – Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) def. Benjamin Becker (GER) 6-3 6-2 6-7(2) 6-3

Serbia Leads USA 2-0
R1 – Viktor Troicki (SRB) def. John Isner (USA) 7-6(4) 6-7(5) 7-5 6-4
R2 – Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Sam Querrey (USA) 6-2 7-6(4) 2-6 6-3

Russia Leads India 2-0
R1 – Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) def. Somdev Devvarman (IND) 6-7(6) 7-6(4) 6-3 6-4
R2 – Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. Rohan Bopanna (IND) 6-4 6-2 6-3

Sweden Tied Argentina 1-1
R1 – Robin Soderling (SWE) def. Eduardo Schwank (ARG) 6-1 7-6(0) 7-5
R2 – Leonardo Mayer (ARG) def. Joachim Johansson (SWE) 5-7 6-3 7-5 6-4

Croatia Leads Ecuador 2-0
R1 – Ivo Karlovic (CRO) def. Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) 6-2 5-7 6-7(2) 6-3 6-4
R2 – Marin Cilic (CRO) def. Giovanni Lapentti (ECU) 6-4 6-3 6-3

Team Spain enters their Davis Cup matchup pretty banged up. Rafael Nadal, Fernando Verdasco and lastly Juan Carlos Ferrero all pulled out with injuries. Spain debuted today in Longrona, Spain against Switzerland with its C team – David Ferrer, Nicolas Almagro, Tommy Robredo and Marcel Granollers.

Almagro is recovering from a wrist injury, and Robredo is not having the best year. Granollers has had success on the doubles side over the last two years and has even won a title with Robredo. Ferrer is their only rock. If the Spanish were going to be picked off, it would be this weekend.

Almagro opened well against Stanislas Wawrinka and put away the first set. The 24-year-old Swiss was able to get back into the match by taking the second set. The two players battled it out until the final set. The world no. 40 went up a break, and it looked like he would be able to put Wawrinka away. He instead allowed the Swiss back in to the match, and world no. 20 was somehow able to win the match 6-3 4-6 6-3 5-7 6-3 in just under four hours of play to put Switzerland up 1-0.

Ferrer then came out in the next rubber and put in a solid performance against Marco Chiudinelli. Though he disappeared in the second set, the Spaniard was able to sneak off with the set and slam the door in the third set. He beat Chiudinelli 6-2 7-6(5) 6-1 in under 2 ½ hours of play to level the Davis Cup tie 1-1.

Granollers and Robredo will play Yves Allegro and Wawrinka tomorrow and have a good shot at winning. Ferrer has solid odds against Wawrinka with a 4-2 record for the fourth rubber. The Spaniard also leads their meetings on clay 3-1.

If Spain loses in doubles, it has a much tougher field to hoe. Almagro should be able to beat Chiudinelli, but his wrist issues could complicate matters. It would not be surprising if Coach Alberto Costa substitutes Robredo to play the final rubber, though current world no. 23 is not having a great year with a 3-5 singles record.

Spain vs. Switzerland
Friday’s Results
R1 – Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) def. Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 3-6 6-4 3-6 7-5 6-3
R2 – David Ferrer (ESP) def. Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) 6-2 7-6(5) 6-1

Saturday’s Match
R3 – M. Granollers (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) vs. Y. Allegro (ESP)/S. Wawrinka (SUI)

(Images: AP)

Viktor Troicki and Novak Djokovic cleared their openers against John Isner and Sam Querrey respectively today in Belgrade. Troicki put in an admirable performance in his upset against Isner.

The Americans faced an uphill battle from the beginning since the Davis Cup tie is played on clay, and I guess American men do not play on clay anymore. They could have been in a sweet spot if Isner had beaten Troicki. The Bryan brothers are handle themselves on clay, so a 2-1 lead could have been possible.

Now, the only way for an American victory is a total Serbian implosion. Nenad Zimonjic has been a nemesis for the Bryan brothers, but he is without his partner, Daniel Nestor. Even if the Serbs lose in doubles tomorrow, Djokovic should be able to put away Isner on Sunday.

Serbia vs. USA
Friday’s Results
R1 – Viktor Troicki (SRB) def. John Isner (USA) 7-6(4) 6-7(5) 7-5 6-4
R2 – Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Sam Querrey (USA) 6-2 7-6(4) 2-6 6-3

Saturday’s Match
R3 – N. Zimonjic (SRB)/J. Tipsarevic (SRB) vs. M. Bryan (USA)/B. Bryan (USA)

(Images: AP)

What a difference a year makes. France now leads Germany 2-0. Gael Monfils won his first Davis Cup match. He put in a solid performance against Philipp Kohlschreiber and defeated the German 6-1 6-4 7-6(5). Monfils is now 1-1 in Davis Cup play.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga then followed up Monfil’s win with another French victory over Benjamin Becker. The top-ranked Frenchman was on his way to a dominant win until he had a hiccup in the third set. In the fourth set, Tsonga was able to wrap it up with 6-3 6-2 6-7(2) 6-3 win. The victory brings the world no. eleven’s Davis Cup record to 7-0.

Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra are up for France in doubles tomorrow. The French duo has proven to be a winning combination. They will meet Christopher Kas and Philipp Kohlschreiber and could easily put France through to the quarterfinals.

France vs. Germany
Friday’s Results
R1 – Gael Monfils (FRA) def. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-1 6-4 7-6(5)
R2 – Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) def. Benjamin Becker (GER) 6-3 6-2 6-7(2) 6-3

Saturday’s Match
R3 – R. Benneteau (FRA)/M. Llodra (FRA) vs. C. Kas (GER)/P. Kohlschreiber (GER)

(Images: AP)

Czech double trouble was back to doing what they do best -- kicking other Davis Cup teams to the curb. Last year’s Davis Cup finalists put themselves in the driver's seat today against Belgium. Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek jumped out into a 2-0 lead after just 4 hours and 37 minutes and six-consecutive sets.

Usually Berdych and Stepanek pull double duty, but Lukas Dlouhy and Jan Hajek are slated to play doubles tomorrow against Steve Darcis and Olivier Rochus. Even if the Czechs lose tomorrow, double trouble should be able to wrap it up on Sunday.

Czech Republic vs. Belgium
Friday’s Results
R1 – Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. Oliver Rochus (BEL) 6-3 6-0 6-4
R2 – Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. Xavier Malisse (BEL) 6-2 6-4 7-6(3)

Saturday’s Match
R3 – L. Dlouhy (CZE)/J. Hajek (CZE) vs. S. Darcis (BEL)/O. Rochus (BEL)

(Images: AP)