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Ferrer, Spain too Good for Americans

By Chris Oddo

(September 16, 2012) – David Ferrer ousted John Isner in Gijon, Spain on Sunday afternoon 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to clinch Spain’s 24th consecutive home victory in Davis Cup play. The 3-1 victory over the Americans sets up a final clash with the Czech Republic in early December.

The Americans, who reached this year’s semifinals with two surprising wins on clay against the Swiss and the French, can take solace in the fact that they exceeded many expert's expectations this season.

But in the end, the Spanish team—even without Rafael Nadal—simply had too much firepower to deal with for the Americans on the red clay that is their least favorite surface. Isner made a strong start against Ferrer today, recovering from a break down to win the first set in a tiebreaker, but he could only manage to win 11 percent of his second serve points in the second set, enabling Ferrer to draw even.

“You have to tip your hat to David,” said American Davis Cup captain Jim Courier. “He played an incredible match. He returned John’s serve so well, so consistently.”

In the third set, the players remained on serve until Ferrer broke to lead 4-3. For Ferrer, who did not face a break point in the final two sets, it was all downhill from there.

“We knew it was going to be a difficult match for sure,” said American Captain Jim Courier. “I’m proud of the way the guys fought—they were in every match—we lost a couple of tight ones on Friday, which made today even tougher.”

For defending Davis Cup champion Spain, which has won five titles in the last eleven years, the victory continues a remarkable streak of wins on clay that dates back to 1999. Ferrer increased his personal Davis Cup record on clay to an astounding 16-0.

“He’s a gladiator and he knows the way he needs to play on clay, the way he needs to move and hit the ball,” said Spanish captain Alex Corretja. “On clay, it’s very difficult to beat him.”

“I had a few chances,” lamented Isner, who had a 4-0 Davis Cup record on clay in 2012 until this weekend. “I gave him an inch and he took about 20 yards.”

The Americans, road warriors for all of 2012, have only played one home tie in their last eight. They will await their fate when next year’s World Group draw is made in on September 19th in London.

Spain, meanwhile, will prepare to travel to the Czech Republic in mid-November for a rematch of the 2009 final, won by Spain 5-0 on red clay in Barcelona.

(Photo Credit: Alvaro Barrientos/ AP)