Davis Cup: Croatia ousts US; Spain up

LONDON – Croatia eliminated the United States from the Davis Cup on Sunday to set up a semifinal meeting with the Czech Republic, which completed an upset win over last year’s finalist Argentina.

Defending champion Spain also advanced by edging Germany, 3-2, after Juan Carlos Ferrero beat Andreas Beck, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, in his first Davis Cup match in four years. Spain will take on Israel, which secured an upset win over Russia on Saturday and split the reverse singles for a 4-1 win.

Croatia’s Marin Cilic beat James Blake, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, for an insurmountable 3-1 lead, before American doubles specialist Bob Bryan beat Roko Karanusic, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (4), in a meaningless match.

“I think I played a perfect match against Blake,” the 20-year-old Cilic said. “This is one of the most important victories in my career.”

Croatia had won both opening singles before Bryan and his twin brother Mike won Saturday’s doubles to keep the Americans’ chances alive.

The US was playing without Andy Roddick, who withdrew because of a hip injury after losing an epic five-set final to Roger Federer at Wimbledon. That left Blake as the Americans’ No. 1 singles player.    (AP)