Israel reaches Davis Cup semifinals after beating Russia in doubles

October 9th, 2009 Djokovic reaches semifinals at China OpenBEIJING — Novak Djokovic moved into the semifinals of the China Open with a 6-3, 1-6, 6-1 win over Fernando Verdasco on Friday. Djokovic was broken three times in the second set, but the fourth-ranked Serb regained his form in the third set and took advantage of Verdasco's 19 unforced errors in the match.

September 23rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Davis Cup captain S.P. Misra feels India face a tough test when they travel to Russia for their World Group first round March 5-7.

September 23rd, 2009 Davis Cup draw sets up possible Roger-Rafa matchupGENEVA — Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal could face each other in the first round of next year's Davis Cup after Spain drew Switzerland on Wednesday. Federer and Nadal, the world's top two players, have never met in the Davis Cup.

September 19th, 2009 Czechs reach 1st Davis Cup final in 29 yearsPOREC, Croatia — The Czech Republic reached its first Davis Cup final in 29 years Saturday after securing an insurmountable 3-0 lead over Croatia by winning the doubles. Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych defeated Marin Cilic and Lovro Zovko 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 to decide the best-of-five series.

September 19th, 2009 Spain defeats Israel, advances to Davis Cup finalTORRE PACHECO, Spain — Defending champion Spain advanced to the Davis Cup finals by defeating Israel 3-0 on Saturday. Feliciano Lopez and Tommy Robredo beat Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram 7-6 (6), 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-2.

July 12th, 2009 US ousted by Croatia in Davis Cup quarterfinalsPOREC, Croatia — The United States was ousted from the Davis Cup, and left to wonder how it might have gone had Andy Roddick been around to pelt opponents with his laser serve. James Blake was unable to keep the Americans alive in the quarterfinals Sunday, losing to Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in the opening match of reverse singles.

July 11th, 2009 Davis Cup: US cuts Croatia's lead to 2-1POREC, Croatia — Bob and Mike Bryan beat Roko Karanusic and Lovro Zovko to keep the United States alive in the Davis Cup, cutting Croatia's quarterfinal lead to 2-1 on Saturday. The Bryan brothers cruised to a 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 doubles win on the indoor clay at Zatika Hall.

July 11th, 2009 US down 2-0 to Croatia in Davis Cup quartersPOREC, Croatia — Marin Cilic outlasted Mardy Fish in five sets to give Croatia a 2-0 lead over the United States after the opening singles of their Davis Cup quarterfinal on Friday. Cilic beat Fish 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-1, 8-6 in a match that lasted 4 hours, 23 minutes and ended at 1 a.m.

July 10th, 2009 US drops opener to Croatia in Davis Cup quartersPOREC, Croatia — Marin Cilic outlasted Mardy Fish in five sets to give Croatia a 2-0 lead over the United States after the opening singles of their Davis Cup quarterfinal on Friday. Cilic beat Fish 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-1, 8-6 in a match that lasted 4 hours, 23 minutes and ended at 1 a.m.

July 10th, 2009 Szavay, Bondarenko reach Budapest semifinalsBUDAPEST, Hungary — Fourth-seeded Agnes Szavay of Hungary defeated qualifier Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland 6-2, 6-3 Friday to reach the semifinals of the Budapest Grand Prix. Szavay won the last four games of the first set after breaking Bacsinszky for a 3-2 lead, and continued to control the play in the second.

July 10th, 2009 Israel's Harel Levy upsets Russia's Igor AndreevTEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's Harel Levy has upset Russia's Igor Andreev 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 to give the hosts a 1-0 lead in their best-of-five Davis Cup quarterfinal matchup. The 210th-ranked Levy scored Israel's first victory in a Davis Cup quarterfinal, defeating the 24th-ranked Andreev at the Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv on Friday.

July 10th, 2009 Israel leads Russia 2-0 in Davis Cup quartersTEL AVIV, Israel — Israel took a surprising 2-0 lead over Russia in the Davis Cup quarterfinals on Friday after Dudi Sela rallied to beat Mikhai Youzhny in the second singles match. Sela won 3-6, 6-1, 6-0, 7-5 after Harel Levy beat Igor Andreev 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, putting Israel one win away from its first semifinal appearance.

July 10th, 2009 Israel leads Russia in Davis Cup quartersTEL AVIV, Israel — Israel has taken a surprising 2-0 lead over Russia in the Davis Cup quarterfinals after Dudi Sela rallied to beat Mikhai Youzhny in the second singles match. Sela won 3-6, 6-1, 6-0, 7-5 on Friday after Harel Levy beat Igor Andreev 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, putting Israel one win away from its first semifinal appearance.

June 30th, 2009 Dementieva reaches Wimbledon semifinalsWIMBLEDON, England — Fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia has reached the Wimbledon semifinals after a comfortable 6-2, 6-2 win over Francesca Schiavone of Italy. Dementieva took a 5-0 lead in the first set and converted both of her break points in the second to seal the win in 66 minutes.

June 11th, 2009 ITF lowers fine for Sweden over Israel matchLONDON — The International Tennis Federation has reduced the fine given to Sweden because of its decision to play a Davis Cup match against Israel behind closed doors. The ITF said Thursday it has cut the fine to $5,000 from the original $25,000 after an appeal by the Swedes.