Lopez,Ferrer give Spain 2-0 lead over US

Playing as the No. 2 for Spain,Lopez needed three match points to finally see off Fish 6-4,3-6,6-3,6-7 7,8-6 in the opening match.

Spain is seeking its third Davis Cup championship in four years,but is without world No. 2 Rafael Nadal,who is skipping the quarterfinal after losing in the Wimbledon final. Nadal helped Spain win the Davis Cup in 2004,2008 and 2009.

Lopez provided the first sign that Spain would not be vulnerable without its best player,silencing the raucous home crowd early by taking the first set of a rugged four-hour match.

Ranked No. 31 in the world,Lopez wagged his finger at balls that sailed out of bounds and yelled and pumped his fists after winning shots. A small but vocal contingent of Spanish fans cheered him on.

Fish brought the crowd back into it by tearing through the tiebreaker in the fourth set.

Lopez appeared to be on his heels but slugged out a tense fifth set. Lopez and Fish traded service breaks in the first two games. Lopez broke Fish again in the final game. They combined for 64 aces in the match.