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Slovakia, Croatia close in on finals in Davis Cup action

Slovakia and Croatia took 2-1 leads in their Davis Cup semifinals on Saturday after wins in the doubles to be one rubber away from a debut appearance in the final.

Slovakia was leading Argentina and Croatia was in front of Russia ahead of the reverse singles on Sunday.

Slovakia's Karol Beck and Michal Mertinak beat David Nalbandian and Mariano Puerta 7-6 (5), 7-5, 7-6 (5) in Bratislava. Nalbandian is a former Wimbledon finalist and Puerta reached the French Open final this year.

"We played well as a team," Beck said. "Michal's serve was excellent and we deserved to win."

Argentina is playing in its third semifinal in four years, and trying to reach its first final since 1981. Slovakia reached the semifinals for the first time after beating last year's champion, Spain, and the Netherlands. Russia is the only semifinalist to have won the Davis Cup.

In Split, Croatia, the home side took the lead when Ivan Ljubicic and Mario Ancic overcame Igor Andreev and Dmitry Tursunov 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-4.

"For the millionth time, we showed we are strong in the mind when it counts," said Ljubicic, who won his 10th consecutive Davis Cup match.

Russia captain Shamil Tarpischev led the women to the Fed Cup title last weekend, and is trying to become the first person to sweep Davis Cup and Fed Cup titles in the same year.

The final will be held Dec. 2-4.

Switzerland will be playing in the World Group next year after winning its playoff over Britain. Top-ranked Roger Federer teamed up with Yves Allegro to give Switzerland an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the tie with a 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6-2 win over Greg Rusedski and Andy Murray on red clay in Geneva.

"This is magnificent for me," said Federer, playing with Switzerland for the first time in 17 months.

"I haven't played at home in over a year and a half. To be playing and help Switzerland win in front of a home crowd is special."

Chile also won its playoff, taking a 3-0 lead over Pakistan in Santiago. Fernando Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu beat Ageel Khan and Aisam Qureshi 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 in the doubles.
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