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US secures place in Davis Cup final

Rafael Nadal jubilates after he and his Spanish teammate Tommy Robredo beat Michael Llodra and Arnaud Clement of France in a Davis Cup semifinals doubles match. PHOTO: AFP

The US clinched a spot in the Davis Cup final on Saturday after easily beating Belarus in doubles to take an unbeatable 3-0 lead, while Spain got two wins to take a 2-1 lead over France in the other semifinal.

Bob and Mike Bryan scored the decisive victory for the Americans, who have won a record 31 Davis Cup titles but none since 1995. The twins topped Max Mirnyi and Vladimir Voltchkov 6-1, 6-3, 7-5 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Tommy Robredo and Rafael Nadal gave Spain the edge against 2001 champion France by defeating Michael Llodra and Arnaud Clement 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 in Alicante, Spain. Spain has reached the final three of the last five years but has claimed the title just once in that time, in 2000.

In playoff ties, Australia, Chile, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Russia all ensured play in the World Group next year by taking decisive 3-0 leads.

The other three playoffs will be decided Sunday, with Germany leading Slovakia 2-1, Romania ahead of Canada 2-1 and Austria and Britain tied at 1-1 with the doubles match suspended because of darkness.

The Bryans had an easy time in Saturday's doubles, converting five-of-eight break point chances to win in straight sets. Their opponents, playing in the semifinals for the first time, failed to get a break despite two chances.

With Voltchkov serving and the Americans up 6-5 in the third set, the game went to deuce. Voltchkov netted a backhand to give the US the advantage, then Bob Bryan returned a forehand just beyond Voltchkov's reach to win.

Bob and Mike Bryan also beat Mirnyi and Voltchkov in the second round at the Olympics last month.

"Davis Cup is the best thing you can do in tennis. For us, I consider this a Grand Slam final," Mike Bryan said. "This match, you know, saved our summer. I mean, I feel great now going home."

Juan Carlos Ferrero started the comeback for Spain, finishing his singles match against Fabrice Santoro 6-3, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 after a suspension the evening before because of darkness.

In the doubles, Santoro was forced to sit out because of his ailing left wrist and was replaced by Clement. Santoro and Llodra are ranked fifth in doubles.

Spain will be looking to claim its spot in the final on Sunday with Carlos Moya scheduled to go against Santoro and Ferrero facing Paul-Henri Mathieu.

France captain Guy Forget can change his lineup one hour before the start of the opening match.

If Spain wins, it will host the final. If France wins, the US will be the host.

In Perth, Australia, Wayne Arthurs and Todd Woodbridge ensured that Australia will remain in the World Group by beating Mehdi Tahiri and Mounir El Aarej of Morocco 7-6 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3 to take a 3-0 lead.

Morocco's two best players, Hicham Arazi and Younes El Aynaoui, are not in Perth due to injuries. The Australians are without Mark Philippoussis, their No. 2-ranked player, who has a hip injury.

In Vina Del Mar, Chile, the hosts returned to the World Group for the first time in 19 years as Olympic champions Nicolas Massu and Fernando Gonzalez beat Takao Suzuki and Thomas Shimada of Japan 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 to go up 3-0.

In Rijeka, Croatia, Ivan Ljubicic and Mario Ancic gave Croatia an unassailable 3-0 lead over Belgium, edging Dick Norman and Kristof Vliegen 6-7 (8), 6-4, 6-7 (1), 6-3, 7-5.

Croatia, a two-time quarterfinalist, stays in the World Group for its fourth consecutive year.

In Moscow, Marat Safin and Mikhail Youzhny defeated Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 to give 2002 champion Russia an unbeatable 3-0 lead over Thailand.

Thailand missed its third attempt to enter the World Group.

In Lambare, Paraguay, Jiri Novak and Radek Stepanek clinched victory for the Czech Republic by downing Paulo Carvallo and Ramon Delgado of Paraguay 6-2, 7-5, 6-3.
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