Spain is a win away from advancing to the Davis Cup final for the fourth time in five years. In Gijon, Spain’s David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro gave Spain at 2-0 lead on day 1 versus the United States in the Davis Cup World Group semifinals on Friday.
No. 5 Ferrer, days removed from the US Open, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, moved past No. 26 Sam Querrey 4-6 6-2 6-2 6-4.
“It’s never easy to adapt from hard court to clay, and with only three to four days even less,†said Ferrer. “I didn’t feel too bad, but I didn’t play perfect tennis, either.â€
Querrey failed to convert on 12 break point chances. “On a couple of them, I should have been more aggressive but he played good points,†said Querrey. “I feel if I get one of those breaks, it could be a different game.â€
“It was a very tough match throughout, he didn’t make it easy for me,” Ferrer said to Spanish television.
In the second rubber on the day, Almagro braved 25 aces from the racquet John Isner to complete a perfect day for Spain 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.
The doubles rubber takes place on Saturday with brothers Mike and Bob Bryan taking on Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez. Reverse singles will take place on Sunday.
Only once has the US ever rallied from an 0-2 deficit, back in 1934 against Australia. Spain is a perfect 37-0 after winning both opening singles matches, since World Group play began.
“Nothing is impossible, said US Davis Cup Captain Jim Courier about coming back from an 0-2 deficit on the road. “Our sport doesn’t have a clock; you have to win the last point. Spain will do everything it can to win the last point, as will the United States, but nothing is impossible,”
“Proud of both these guys. They both went out there and laid it on the line and fought hard. They were two great battles, and all of us on the team are very proud of what these guys did today.”
The winner of the tie will face either Argentina or the Czech Republic in the Davis Cup final in November.