Champion Spain set up a heavyweight Davis Cup semifinal clash against the United States when David Ferrer cruised to a 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Austria's Juergen Melzer to give the host an unassailable 3-1 lead Sunday. All four ties were still open on the third day of the World Group quarterfinals and John Isner wrapped up victory for the US when he fought past Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 7-6, 5-7. 6-3 to inflict the first French home defeat in six years. Czech Republic went through on the other side of the draw after Tomas Berdych edged Janko Tipsarevic 7-6, 7-6, 7-6 in Prague as the home side gained revenge for its last-four defeat to Serbia in 2010. Its opponent in September's semifinal will be Argentina, which is seeking to go one better than its runner-up finishes to Spain in 2008 and 2011. Juan Martin del Potro was far too strong for Marin Cilic in the opening reverse singles in Buenos Aires, the world No. 10 crushing the Croat 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 for a decisive 3-1 lead and sealing victory with an ace. In a blustery Marina d'Or on the Spanish coast, Ferrer was far more consistent than Melzer as he secured his second point of the best-of-five tie after thrashing Andreas Haider-Maurer Friday. Spain missed a chance to wrap up the tie Saturday when doubles pair Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez surrendered a one-set lead and were beaten by Oliver Marach and Alexander Peya. Undefeated in 23 home ties, it remains favorite to win a fourth title in five years despite the absence of talismanic world No. 2 Rafa Nadal. The French Open champion has opted out of the competition this year citing the packed calendar in an Olympic year and is also nursing a knee injury aggravated in Miami last week. However, with world No. 5 Ferrer in the side — who has won all 14 of his Davis Cup singles matches on clay — and 12th-ranked Nicolas Almagro playing some of the best tennis of his career, the US faces a tough task to beat the Spanish at home on its favored red dirt in the Sept. 14-16 tie. Almagro beat Peya 7-5, 7-5 to secure a 4-1 success for Spain. Against the French, the Americans shrugged off the absence of world number nine Mardy Fish and relied on an in-form Isner to lead the charge at the glamorous Monte Carlo Country Club. The towering 26-year-old, who humbled Gilles Simon Friday before the Bryan brothers won Saturday's doubles, has been in fine form this year as he has chalked up victories over Roger Federer and world number one Novak Djokovic. Now ranked No. 11, he was instrumental in putting his country through to the semifinals for the first time since 2008, serving 16 aces against Tsonga and losing his serve to the Frenchman just once. US captain Jim Courier said he was “shocked” his team was alive in the competition. The 3-2 defeat for France signalled the end of Guy Forget's stint as captain.
