Davis Cup Recap: Switzerland Stunned by USA

It turned out to be a rather ho-hum Davis Cup weekend overall, with four World Group ties being wrapped up on Saturday, and only one having a live 5th rubber.  But that is not to say everything went as expected.  John Isner shocked Roger Federer on Switzerland's clay, and Russia basically never showed up against Austria.  Here are my thoughts on the weekend that was...

World Group


ESP 5 KAZ 0 - Kukushkin led Ferrero early in the 3rd and 5th sets of match 1, but the former no. 1 came back to win both and the rubber.  Kazakhstan never recovered.  Almagro was his clay court self, and Granollers/M.Lopez may push to be Spain's future doubles team.

AUT 3 RUS 2 - Melzer came big for the home side, clinching the tie in the 4th rubber after surviving Kunitsyn in 5 sets on day 1.  Bogomolov laid a total egg for his new country, winning only 1 set in 2 matches.  Russian captain Tarpischev also has to called to account for his decisions as neither Youzhny nor Davydenko played singles.  Haider-Maurer was also good for Austria.

FRA 4 CAN 1 - This tie essentially ended when Raonic pulled out injured on Sunday.  Benneteau/Llodra came up huge over Nestor/Raonic in the doubles to put France up 2-1.

USA 5 SUI 0 - If you'd have only the score you'd have expected a Swiss whitewash.  Fish survived Wawrinka 9-7 in the 5th, then Isner shocked Federer.  On Saturday, M.Bryan/Fish didn't let the Swiss off the carpet.  Another low point for Federer.

CZE 4 ITA 1 - As usual, it was the Berdych/Stepanek show as the Czechs clinched on Saturday.

SRB 4 SWE 1 - The Swedes won the doubles behind Brunstrom/Lindstedt to force Tipsarevic to clinch in the 4th rubber.  There may yet be hope for Sweden as Ryderstadt took a set off Troicki.

CRO 3 JPN 2 - This back-and-forth tie was filled with drama, and Karlovic was the hero, winning 3 points.  First Soeda upset Dodig but Karlovic returned the favor being knocking off Nishikori.  After the Croats won the doubles, Nishikori kept the home side in it by beating Dodig.  But that just set up Karlovic, who swept past Soeda to send Croatia through.  Karlovic never even faced a break point in singles.

ARG 5 GER 0 - Not surprising that Argentina won, but surprising that they shutout the Germans.  Monaco and Nalbandian took care of Mayer and Petzschner, and Nalbandian/Schwank are quietly becoming a steady doubles team.

Quarterfinal ties:
Austria at Canada
United States at France
Serbia at Czech Republic
Croatia at Argentina

Russia was the only favorite to lose according to the Davis Cup rankings.

Europe/Africa Zonal Group I


GBR 3 SVK 2 - The Brits got a huge win from Evans on day 1 as he upset Lacko.  He came up big again winning a live 5th rubber in 5 sets over Klizan, ranked 150 places above him.  Ward went 0-2 in the tie but the Brits won the doubles.
NED 5 FIN 0 - Nieminen only played in the doubles, so it was all Haase and de Bakker.
SLO 5 DEN 0 - Kavcic and Zemlja rolled.

Promotion ties:
Portugal at Israel
Belgium at Great Britain
Romania at Netherlands
Slovenia at South Africa

Americas Zonal Group I


URU 3 PER 1
COL 4 ECU 1 - Falla wasn't here, but Giraldo was.  Campozano gave Ecuador a good start, but Giraldo took over from there.

Promotion ties:
Chile at Uruguay
Colombia at Brazil

Asia/Pacific Zonal Group I


UZB 3 NZL 2 - This was actually a sweep.
KOR 4 TPE 1 - This also was a sweep, no Lu for Taiwan, but still an impressive win for South Korea, who played Group II last year.
AUS 5 CHN 0 - Australia still far above China in tennis terms.

Promotion ties:
India at Uzbekistan
South Korea at Australia

Europe/Africa Zonal Group II


UKR 5 MON 0
CYP 3 MAR 2 - Baghdatis won 3 points, losing 13 games in 9 sets.
HUN 3 IRL 2 - "Attila the Hun" clinched in the 4th rubber.
LAT 3 EGY 2 - Gulbis carried Latvia with two straight sets singles wins.
BLR 4 MDA 1
BIH 3 TUR 1 - Delic clinched over Ilhan in the 4th rubber.
EST 5 LUX 0 - Luxembourg will hope Muller shows up in their relegation tie.
POL 5 MAD 0


Group Semifinals:
Cyprus at Ukraine
Latvia at Hungary
Bosnia & Herzegovina at Belarus
Estonia at Poland

Relegation ties:
Monaco at Morocco
Ireland at Egypt
Moldova at Turkey
Luxembourg at Madagascar

Americas Zonal Group II


BAR 3 PAR 2 - Big upset, Paraguay was in the group final last year, Barbados played in Group III.  And it really was a sweep.
MEX 5 ESA 0
DOM 4 BOL 1 - Estrella won 3 live rubbers.
VEN 5 PUR 0


Group semifinals:
Barbados at Mexico
Dominican Republic at Venezuela

Relegation ties:
Paraguay at El Salvador
Bolivia at Puerto Rico

Asia/Pacific Zonal Group II


PHI 5 PAC 0
PAK 3 LIB 2 - Khan def. Alayli in the live 5th rubber. Tour doubles specialist Qureshi went 1-1 in singles in addition to winning the doubles tie.
INA 3 HKG 2
THA 3 SRI 2 - This was a sweep.

Group semifinals:
Philippines at Pakistan
Thailand at Indonesia

Relegation ties:
Pacific Oceania at Lebanon
Sri Lanka at Hong Kong