Israel in command

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:40

Levy made a mockery of being almost 200 ranking places behind world number 24 Igor Andreev – getting the better of the Russian 6-4 6-2 4-6 6-2 in two hours and 51 minutes and putting his country one point ahead.

Israeli number one Sela duly made it 2-0 to Israel, despite losing the first set to Mikhail Youzhny. He recovered to prevail 3-6 6-1 6-0 7-5.

Spain’s Fernando Verdasco battled back from two sets to one down to beat Germany’s Andreas Beck 6-0 3-6 6-7 6-2 6-1 in Marbella.

But Philipp Kohlschreiber wasted no time drawing Germany level with a straight-sets dismissal of Tommy Robredo on the hosts’ clay surface. The German romped to a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win.

Spain, who beat Germany at this stage of last year’s Davis Cup, have won their last 15 home ties.

Czech Republic also hold the advantage in their tie with Argentina, Tomas Berdych putting them 1-0 up after a five-setter against Juan Monaco.

Berdych won the first set 6-4, only to go down 6-2 in the next two. But he hit back to win the fourth 6-3 and close out the decider 6-2.

The other quarter-final sees America take on Croatia with James Blake taking on big-serving Ivo Karlovic in the first singles rubber.

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