Spain through to Davis Cup semis after Ferrer's epic victory

DAVID Ferrer's epic five-set victory over Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber brought Spain back from a knife-edge and into the Davis Cup semi-finals where they will meet France, victors over Italy this weekend.

The three-day tie in Valencia's bull-ring started off on the right foot with Mallorca-born Rafa Nadal's win against Kohlschreiber, but the day ended with the teams tied after Ferrer lost to German star Alexander Zverev.

German fans' hopes were raised through the roof after Feliciano López and Marc López lost a roller-coaster doubles match to Jan-Lennard Struff and Tim Pütz, whilst Spain's own hopes, having been pinned on the Grand Slam-winning pair, were temporarily flattened.

Destined to be a nail-bitingly close tie, the result once again levelled up after Nadal, now back at world number one and in top form after retiring mid-match against Marin Cilic at the Australian Open in January due to a hip injury, sealed the fourth rubber in Spain's favour.

Nadal swiftly dispatched the in-form Alexander Zverev in three straight sets (6-1, 6-4 and 6-4) to keep Spain's hopes alive.

A place in the semi-finals would now hang on David Ferrer and Philipp Kohlschreiber and, with both veteran players showing spectacular form on the first day, and an electric atmosphere among both sets of fans, the final rubber already had spectators and players on the edge of their seats before the first serve.

Excitement reigned among Spanish fans as Jávea-born Ferrer took the first set 7-6, whilst German fans' enthusiasm was renewed after Kohlschreiber clinched the second 6-3.

With set three ending on another tie-break that went Ferrer's way, triumph looked closer for Spain. But was it was snatched away from their hands when Kohlschreiber clinched the fourth set 6-4.

The fifth and final set was tension packed, but Ferrer, who was playing on home turf with his local fans, friends and family watching his every shot, finally booked Spain's ticket to the next leg, squeezing past Kohlschreiber 7-5.

“For me, it's been an unforgettable day – I don't know how I did it,” Ferrer admitted, overcome as he was hailed the hero of the 'Armada'.

“The icing on the cake was being able to play in the bull-ring in Valencia in front of all my people, my family, my friends from Jávea, my future wife, and my baby who will be born in a week or two.”

France will host Spain in the Davis Cup semi-finals in September.