Defending champions United States, Russia and Argentina joined Spain in the Davis Cup semi-finals on Sunday, all clinching their ties with a match to spare.
Andy Roddick lost only 13 points on serve and beat Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 to lead the Americans to a 4-1 victory over France. Russia won when the Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych retired injured in his match against Nikolay Davydenko. Berdych led 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 2-1 when he fell as he reached for a forehand cross, appearing to twist his right ankle. He was unable to continue, giving the Russians an unbeatable 3-1 lead.
In Buenos Aires, David Nalbandian overcame blustery winds, blowing clay dust and Robin Soderling on Sunday, winning 6-4, 1-6, 4-6, 6-4, 9-7 to give Argentina an invincible 3-1 lead over Sweden. Juan Monaco defeated Sweden’s Thomas Johansson, 6-3, 6-3 to complete the 4-1 victory. The results send the United States to Spain and Russia to Argentina in September for the semi-finals.
Fernando Verdasco gave Spain a final win in their 4-1 victory over Germany, beating Michael Berrer 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4. Spain clinched the victory in Saturday’s doubles and Nicolas Kiefer earned Germany a consolation victory, beating Feliciano Lopez in the final match 6-4, 7-6 (2).
In Moscow, Russia again capitalised when an opponent retired with an injury in a decisive match. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic pulled out while leading Davydenko in the opening reverse singles match in the first round of the World Group. In the meaningless final singles match, Lukas Dlouhy beat Marat Safin 6-3, 6-3 to make the overall score 3-2.