Spain join France, Croatia in semis after epic Ferrer win

(Reuters) - David Ferrer toppled Philipp Kohlschreiber in a thrilling five-hour marathon as Spain roared back from 2-1 down in their Davis Cup tie against Germany to reach the semi-finals on Sunday.

After world number one Rafael Nadal put Alexander Zverev firmly in his place with a 6-1 6-4 6-4 humbling, Ferrer edged Kohlschreiber 7-6(1) 3-6 7-6(4) 4-6 7-5 in the final rubber at a sun-drenched Plaza de Toros in Valencia to wrap up a 3-2 victory.

The 36-year-old Ferrer held firm in the eighth game of the decider to save three break points and then pounced at 5-5 to secure the break before serving out for victory.

Spain will meet France in the semis after the holders reached the last four for a third year in a row after Lucas Pouille came back to beat Fabio Fognini 2-6 6-1 7-6(3) 6-3 in Genoa to clinch their tie with Italy 3-1.

Croatia also made it into the last four as Australian Open runner-up Marin Cilic crushed Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin 6-1 6-1 6-1 to seal their tie 3-1.

Croatia will meet the United States in the semis in September. The U.S. sealed their place in the last-four on Saturday after victory in the doubles gave them an unbeatable 3-0 lead.

Italian Fognini missed two chances to take the third set against Pouille, failing to serve out at 5-4 and then wasting a break point in the 11th game, prompting him to smash his racket in frustration.

French number one Pouille overpowered Fognini in the tie-break before comfortably sealing the fourth set.

“I am very proud of the team and I am really relieved because the last match was so close,” France captain Yannick Noah told the competition’s official website.

“It came down to a few points in the third set. I think we have been a little lucky but it’s part of the process and we enjoy our luck.”