Four tennis superpowers – Russia, U.S.A, Spain and Argentina have all advanced to this years semi-finals of the Davis Cup.
On paper, Argentina had the easiest task, at home on slow courts against Sweden, who (Bjorn Borg aside) are not renowned for having the best clay court players. However they came up against an inspired force in Swedish number one Robin Soderling, who was determined not to let the Argentines have it all their own way.
After David Nalbandian defeated Jonas Bjorkman in the opening rubber, Soderling stormed back, beating Acasuso 6-0 6-4 6-1. The home nation clinched the doubles, but the deciding rubber was the third singles, as Nalbandian was stretched to his absolute limit in defeating Soderling 9-7 late into the fifth set.
Spain had the simplest passage through, as Nadal and Ferrer both notched up single
s wins over Kiefer and Kohlschreiber respectively.The only worry for them came in the doubles, as Germans Kohlschreiber and Philipp Petzschner put up a terrific fight, only to succumb 12-10 in the fifth set to Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez (pictured right).
The U.S.A overcame a weakened France side 3-2, and in truth it was down to blistering form of world no.6 Andy Roddick who beat Michael Llodra, before crushing Paul-Henri Mathieu. James Blake also overcame Mathieu, this time in five sets to send the US 2-0 up, before France pulled one back in the doubles, as the much vaunted Bryan brothers were beaten by Llodra and Arnaud Clement. But Roddick was on hand to clean up the mess and seal the tie, before Blake put the icing on the cake, defeating Gasquet over three tight sets.
The most dramatic of the ties was to be found in Moscow though, as Russia had to pull out all the stops to defeat Czech Republic 3-2. The mercurial Marat Safin, who has a 1-5 win/loss record this season, found his true colours in the opening match as he battled his way past world no.10 Tomas Berdych in five sets.
Radek Stepanek tied the match by defeating Igor Andreev in straight sets, only for Russia to take the lead again by winning the doubles. With the home nation 2-1 up, the crucial match was Nikolay Davydenko vs. Berdych in the third singles match, and the 26 year-old Russian was gifted the match, as Berdych was forced to retire early in the fifth set with an ankle injury.
Russia now face a tough away tie to Argentina, who have only lost four of the last 60 matches on home soil. Spain host the USA, who will be hoping to bounce back, following their loss to the Spanish team in the 2004 Davis Cup final.
Click here for more information on the Davis Cup draw and all of the teams.
ATP Tennis Now 
Do you think that the four nations competing are the strongest four nations in terms of world tennis. Surely you can’t dismiss the challenge of the Swiss?
The Swiss team are obviously very strong with Federer and Wawrinka, but they lack the strength in depth that the other top nations have, which is crucial in Davis Cup. In my opinion, these are the four strongest nations (possible exception of France), and this is reflected in the Davis Cup rankings, where they hold the top four spots.
Can you ever see a time where GB could challenge these nations? I don’t follow tennis too much, but we always seem to be playing Ecuador…
I think that in the future, providing we can create a winning tennis enviroment in this country, then we have the resources the challenge the top nations. Just look at France, same population, they have 22 players inside the top 200, whereas we have only 1!
Why but is that?! It’s not as if the British have gone off tennis, Wimbledon is well supported year in year out! We really need a new hero. Are you that man Mr. Mitchell?
Theres no hope for British tennis in my opinion. No players are really coming through as the standard is not good enough. The Americans on the other hand had a 15 year old win a match in an ATP tournment this week. I think we need M Mitchell to step up to the plate and put this 15 year old in his place…