Davis Cup 2012: Spain Eliminates USA On Sunday

2012 Davis Cup final preview: Spain faces Czech Republic in Prague

The top-seeded Spaniards, without Rafael Nadal, need to knock off the host Czechs to claim their second consecutive Cup title

Davis Cup 2012 Semifinals, Czech Republic Vs. Argentina: Berdych Defeats Berlocq

Despite being faced with having to play Argentina on their home clay in Buenos Aires, the Czech Republic — behind a strong showing from Tomas Berdych — advanced to the finals of the Davis Cup with Berdych's straight-set victory over Carlos Berlocq, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.

The Czech will take on Spain in the Davis Cup finals, after the Spanish defeated the United States in the other semifinal, 3-1 behind David Ferrer. The Czech clinched the victory over Argentina, up 3-1 with one match remaining.

In his first singles action, Berdych outlasted Argentina's Juan Monaco in five grueling sets, 6-1, 4-6, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. The match, which took just more than four hours, saw Berdych break Monaco 11 times, fighting off Monaco's 10 own break points converted.

In the decisive match against Berlocq, Berdych was far more efficient, dispatching of the Argentinean in 2 hours, 45 minutes, while hitting 34 winners against just six unforced errors.

in the doubles match, Berdych and Radek Stepanek topped Berlocq and Eduardo Schwank, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.

For more tennis and Davis Cup coverage, check out SB Nation's tennis hub.

2012 Davis Cup Semifinals, USA Vs. Spain: Ferrer Downs Isner

Spaniard David Ferrer defeated American John Isner in four sets Sunday in Gijon, Spain, to advance defending champion Spain into the 2012 Davis Cup final. A win by Isner would have kept the Americans hopes of reaching the final alive. The Ferrer victory sends Spain to the final for the fourth time in the last five years.

Ferrer improved to 16-0 on clay in Davis Cup competition with his 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over the 6'9" American. Isner was coming off a grueling five-set match on Friday with Nicolas Almagro. Isner's 16-5 advantage in aces was easily outdone by his 70 unforced errors in the match, to just 32 for Ferrer.

Spain will face either Argentina or the Czech Republic in the Davis Cup final. The Czech Republic leads Argentina 2-1 in their semifinal, with two decisive singles matches to take place later Sunday.

For more on the 2012 Ryder Cup, please be sure to check out our Tennis Hub and SB Nation for all the latest news and updates.

2012 Davis Cup Semifinals, Czech Republic Vs. Argentina: Matches, TV Schedule And More

The 2012 Davis Cup continues on Sunday with the match between Argentina and the Czech Republic in the semifinals. The Czech Republic leads the best-of-five 2-1 despite being on its rival's turf at Parque Roca in Buenos Aries, Argentina.

It will be up to Carlos Berlocq to keep the Argentian hopes alive against Tomas Berdych. If Berlocq can extend the contest, Juan Monaco and Radek Stepanek will decide the series between the two countries.

On Friday, Juan Martin del Porto took care of business against the 40th ranked Radek Stepanek in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. However, the next two matches would belong to the Czech Republic. No. 6 Berdych defeated Monaco in a five-set epic, 6-1, 4-6, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. Then in the lone doubles match, Berdych and Stepanek toppled Berlocq and Eduardo Schwank, 6-3, 6-4, and 6-3.

For a full look at everything involving the Davis Cup, please click here.

TV: The Tennis Channel

Time: 9:45 a.m. ET

For more on the 2012 Ryder Cup, please be sure to check out our Tennis Hub and SB Nation for all the latest news and updates.

Davis Cup 2012 Semifinals, USA Vs. Spain: TV Schedule, Match Times And More

The United States enters Sunday trailing Spain 2-1 in their best-of-five match to advance into the final round of the 2012 Davis Cup.

With the tourney on the line for the U.S., John Isner will take on David Ferrer in a highly anticipated match. If No. 10 Isner can find a way to defeat Ferrer, the final match is 12th ranked Nicolas Almagro pitted against Sam Querrey.

The Americans dropped both of the singles matches in the contest thus far. Ferrer took care of Querrey in four sets on Friday, winning 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, and 6-4. Ferrer was heavily favored and eventually dispatched the lesser-known Querrey despite a worthy challenge. In the other match, Almagro beat Isner in a five-set thriller, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.

However, Bob and Mike Bryan kept the U.S. cause alive by getting past the combination of Marc Lopez and Marcel Granollers 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5.

TV: The Tennis Channel

Time: 6:00 a.m. ET (with second match TBD if necessary)

For more on the 2012 Davis Cup, please be sure to check out our Tennis Hub and SB Nation for all the latest news and updates.

Davis Cup 2012 Semifinals, Czech Republic Vs. Argentina: Doubles Victory Gives Czechs 2-1 Lead

The Czech Republic got closer to advancing into the 2012 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Final with a doubles victory over hosts Argentina on Saturday. Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek won their doubles match against Carlos Berlocq and Eduardo Schwank in three sets, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. The match lasted 2 hours and 37 minutes.

The Czech Republic and Argentina were even after the first day of competition, but the victory by Berdych and Stepanek put the Czechs up 2-1 and put the Argentines on the brink of elimination. Argentina will send Juan Martin del Potro into action in the fourth match on Sunday against Berdych, hoping to even up the tie again and force the fifth match which would be between Argentinian Juan Monaco and Stepanek.

Live scores from the Davis Cup Semifinals can be found at the tournament's official live scoreboard.

For more on the Davis Cup, stay tuned to this StoryStream. For all of your tennis needs, be sure to keep an eye on SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.

2012 Davis Cup Semifinals, USA Vs. Spain: Bryan Bros. Keep U.S. Hopes Alive

The American doubles representatives, Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan, have kept their country in the hunt for a trip to the Davis Cup finals with a win on Saturday over Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez of Spain.

After losing two singles matches, Team USA needed a victory in doubles to remain in contention. Spain and USA are playing five matches over the weekend, with the winner moving on to face Argentina or the Czech Republic.

The Bryan Brothers started well, cruising to a 6-3 victory in the first set. The Spanish side bounced back in the second, earning a 6-3 win of their own.

The third set was hotly contested, even as Gronollers of Spain was battling injury. The Americans jumped up a break immediately, and were out to a quick 3-0 lead. Spain broke back and eventually the set was tied 5-5. The Bryan brothers were able to break Spain again at 6-5 to take the third set.

The Spanish would not go down easily, earning a break early in the fourth to go up 2-1. Team USA would battle back, eventually taking the lead at 6-5 before breaking the Spaniards to win the match.

The Davis Cup semifinals continue Sunday with John Isner facing David Ferrer and Sam Querrey taking on Nicolas Almagro. Spain leads 2-1 overall, with the Americans needing to win both matches to advance.

For more on the Davis Cup, stay tuned to this StoryStream. For all of your tennis needs, be sure to keep an eye on SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.

2012 Davis Cup Semifinals, Czech Republic Vs. Argentina: TV Schedule, Match Times And More

The Czech Republic and Argentina head into the second day of the 2012 Davis Cup semifinals tied 1-1.

Carlos Berlocq and Eduardo Schwank of the Argentina team look to put their country back on top as they take on Ivo Minar and Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic on Saturday. It is a semi-unassuming foursome of tennis players, although Rosol did defeat Rafael Nadal in Wimbledon earlier this year.

Juan Martin del Portro notched the first match for Argentina handily, beating Radek Stepanek in three sets (6-4, 6-4, 6-2). Tomas Berdych evened the score for the Czechs as he defeated Juan Monaco (6-1, 4-6, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4).

The two countries haven't faced each other in a Davis Cup score tie in three years. Berlocq and Schwank haven't played together since last year in Buenos Aires. They also won in Stuttgart, Germany in 2010.

Berlocq / Schwank and Minar / Rosol will play each other at 11:30 A.M. ET.

For more on the Davis Cup, stay tuned to this StoryStream. For all of your tennis needs, be sure to keep an eye on SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.

Davis Cup 2012 Semifinals, USA Vs. Spain: Matches, TV Schedule And More

Brothers Mike and Bob Bryan look to keep the U.S. alive in the Davis Cup after Spain took a 2-0 lead on Friday.

All hopes are on the Bryan twins to keep the Spanish team from the finals. Mike and Bob Bryan face off against Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez on Saturday. The Bryan twins are 5-0 against Spain throughout their career and are 4-0 when the U.S. has faced a 2-0 deficit.

The defending Davis Cup champs took care of business as both Sam Querry and John Isner lost their clay-court matches to put the U.S. in a 2-0 hole. David Ferrer beat Querry 3-1 (4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4) and Nicolas Almagro topped Isner in five sets (6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5). Spain is now one point away from its fourth final in five years.

History is against the U.S. advancing however. The U.S. has only rallied from a 2-0 deficit once in 38 series - against Australia in 1938. Spain is undefeated after winning both opening singles matches.

If the Bryan twins prevail, then the reverse singles would begin with Ferrer facing Isner first. Almagro would then face Querry if the U.S. can bring it to 2-2.

The winner of the U.S. and Spain semi-finals will advance to take on either the Czech Republic or Argentina, who are tied 1-1 after the first day.

Granollers / Lopez vs. Bryan / Bryan will begin at 8:00 A.M. ET.

For all news and information regarding the Davis Cup, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.

Davis Cup 2012 Semifinals, Czech Republic Vs. Argentina: Teams Split First Two Matches On Day 1

The first day of the 2012 Davis Cup semifinals has come to a close, with Argentina and the Czech Republic knotted in a 1-1 tie in their best-of-five matchup in Buenos Aires.

Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro, ranked No. 8 in the ATP Rankings and a former U.S. Open champion, defeated the Czech Republic's Radek Stepanek, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 in Friday's early match. The nightcap saw No. 6 Tomas Berdych come from behind to topple Argentine Juan Monaco (No. 11) in a grueling five-set match, 6-4, 4-6, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Saturday's matches will feature doubles action, with Argentina's Carlos Berlocq and Eduardo Schwank taking on the Czech Republic's Lukas Rosol and Ivo Minar. Sunday's singles matches will flip Friday's script, pitting del Potro against Berdych, while Monaco will battle the 40th-ranked Stepanek.

For more on the Davis Cup, stay tuned to this StoryStream. For all of your tennis needs, be sure to keep an eye on SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.

2012 Davis Cup Semifinals: Defending Champion Spain Takes Early 2-0 Lead Over United States

Americans Sam Querrey and John Isner lost their opening matches on the clay court Friday, to give Spain a 2-0 lead in the Davis Cup semifinals.

Querrey was able to steal one early against David Ferrer, but ultimately the Spaniard won the best-of-five series, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4. Isner put up a tougher fight against his opponent yet still suffered the same fate, falling to Nicolas Almagro, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.

With the victories, Spain sits just one point away from their fourth final in the past five years. Brothers Mike and Bob Bryan must be victorious in their Saturday doubles match against Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez if the U.S. is to stay alive.

Spain is 37-0 after winning both opening singles matches in World Group play. Additionally, the United States has only bounced back from down 0-2 to steal a series once in the team's history (1934 against the Australians).

The winner of this semifinal round will move on to face either Argentina or the Czech Republic later in November.

For all news and information regarding the Davis Cup, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.

2012 Davis Cup, USA Vs. Spain Scores: Almagro Defeats Isner In 5 Sets

Nicolas Almagro of Spain defeated John Isner of the United States in five sets during the second match of the men's Davis Cup quarterfinal on Friday. Combined with David Ferrer's first match victory over Sam Querrey, Spain are now leading the five match semifinal 2-0. There are three other matches scheduled to be played over the weekend, and Spain will only need to win a single match in order to advance to the final.

Isner had 24 aces to Almagro's seven in the match, but his 95 unforced errors proved to be too much to overcome during the five set affair. Almagro ended up winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in a match that took four hours and 16 minutes to complete.

The third match of the Davis Cup semifinals will feature Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez of Spain facing Mike and Bob Bryan of the United States. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. ET on Saturday. The rest of the remaining schedule can be found on the official website of the Davis Cup.

For all news and information regarding the Davis Cup, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.

2012 Davis Cup, USA Vs. Spain Scores: Ferrer Takes Down Querrey

David Ferrer of Spain has defeated Sam Querrey of the United States in the first match of semifinal action at the 2012 Davis Cup in Gijon, Spain on Friday. Ferrer took the match in four sets, winning three straight after Querrey jumped on top in the first.

Ferrer took 51 percent of his receiving points on the way to victory. Querrey had more total winners than Ferrer, 47 to 31, but the American was undone by 70 unforced errors.

Querrey had a number of chances to break Ferrer, as he took the Spaniard to 14 break points. He was largely unsuccessful in those opportunities, converting just two. Ferrer won six of the 13 chances he had to break the American.

The match was the first of five to be played between the USA and Spain. John Isner will face Nicolas Almagro in the second on Friday.

For all news and information regarding the Davis Cup, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.

2012 Davis Cup Semifinals: U.S. Faces Steep Odds Versus Spain On Clay

Beginning on Friday, the U.S. and Spain face off in Gijon in the Davis Cup Semifinals. And while John Isner has not had a great year in tournaments, he has been incredible in Davis Cup play. He will have to be even better for the U.S. to have a chance.

2012 Davis Cup Semifinals: Argentina-Czech Republic Sees Contrasts Galore

Argentina hosts the Czech Republic in the Davis Cup semifinals, but while eyes will be focused on the countries' respective big-hitters, Juan Martin Del Potro and Tomas Berdych, 39th-ranked Radek Stepanek should determine the victor, one way or the other.

2012 Davis Cup Semifinals, Czech Republic Vs. Argentina: Matches, TV Schedule And More (Day 1)

Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro will open Round 1 of the 2012 Davis Cup against Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic. Del Potro said he is going to play as much as he can, despite medical advice telling him not to. The Argentinian is recovering from an injured left wrist.

Juan Monaco will face Tomas Berdych on clay in Parque Roca.

Carlos Berlocq and Eduardo Schwank will represent Argentina in doubles competition on Saturday, matching up against Czech Republic's Ivo Minar and Lukas Rosol. The reverse singles are on Sunday.

Argentina lost last year's Davis Cup final against Spain and has lost a record four finals. The Czechs fell to Spain in the 2009 final, but won the Davis Cup in 1980 as Czechoslovakia.

Matches can be viewed on the Tennis Channel starting at 10:45 a.m. ET.

For all news and information regarding the Davis Cup, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.

Davis Cup 2012, USA Vs. Spain: Semifinals Preview

The United States has made a surprise run to the semifinals of the 2012 Davis Cup, but can it knock off Spain on its home soil?