8 Mar 2010

Spain progress in Davis Cup

11:20 am on 8 March 2010

David Ferrer crushed Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka in straight sets to fire depleted champions Spain into the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup tennis competition and set up a clash away to nine-times winners France.

Novak Djokovic booked Serbia's place in the last eight at the expense of the United States, the world number two being pushed all the way by John Isner before winning in five in the fourth singles rubber in Belgrade.

Mikhail Youzhny sent Russia through when he thrashed India's Somdev Devvarman 6-2 6-1 6-3 in Moscow.

Russia, the 2006 champions will face Argentina in July's quarters, after David Nalbandian won the final rubber against Sweden's Andreas Vinciguerra 7-5 6-3 4-6 6-4 in Stockholm.

Serbia face neighbours Croatia, the first meeting between the two countries since they became independent nations following the breakup of the former Yugoslavia.

France, 2009 finalists Czech Republic and 2005 winners Croatia all progressed yesterday, the French defeating Germany in Toulon, Czech Republic ousting Belgium in Bree and the Croats seeing off Ecuador in Varazdin.

Meanwhile Great Britain slumped to a humiliating 3-2 defeat to Lithuania, forcing them to the brink of Europe/Africa Zone Group III - the lowest tier of the competition.

Britain must now face Turkey, who lost to Ireland, in a relegation play-off in July.