Friday 10 September 2010
23:58

08 March 2010 10:32

LIMASSOL - Cyprus and Marcos Baghdatis will next take on Portugal in the Davis Cup after a convincing 3-2 win over Egypt over the weekend in the Europe/Africa II Davis Cup.
Baghdatis was on hand to cruise past his opponents as well as team up with partner Photos Kallias in the doubles event to put to rest any hopes of an Egyptian upset at the Spyros Kyprianou Arena in Limassol.
Cyprus’ Rares Cuzdriorean had lost the first game to Karim Maamoun 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 but Marcos hit back for Cyprus in the second meeting thrashing Egypt number one Sherif Sabry 6-2, 6-1, 6-1.
The big decider came in the doubles match where Baghdatis and Kallias defeated Sabry and Maamoun in straight sets.
The contest was over in the fourth game with Baghdatis beating Mohamed Safwat 6-
1, 6-2, 6-3.
Egypt scored a consolation victory in the finally game with Sabry putting youngster Christopher Koutrouzas to the sword, 6-1, 6-0.
Cyprus will now take on Portugal between July 9 and July 11.
Defending champions Spain advanced to the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup with victory over Switzerland.
The home side took a 2-1 lead into yesterday's reverse singles and David Ferrer quickly wrapped up the tie with an easy win over Stanislas Wawrinka.
Ferrer, who also won his first singles match on Friday, triumphed 6-2 6-4 6-0 to set up a quarter-final clash with France, who had already taken an unassailable 3-0 lead against Germany in Toulon.
Two other ties were also decided with a day to spare, the Czech Republic taking a 3-0 lead over Belgium without dropping a set and Croatia beating Ecuador by the same score.
Elsewhere, Russia completed a 4-1 victory over India, with Mikhail Youzhny claiming the decisive point courtesy of a 6-2 6-1 6-3 win over Somdev Devvarman in Moscow.
Novak Djokovic survived an epic match with John Isner to give Serbia a decisive 3-1 advantage over the United States, which was later trimmed to 3-2.
Djokovic needed four hours and 16 minutes to eventually get the better of a courageous Isner, the world number two finally sealing a 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-7 (6/8) 6-4 victory.
The defeat means Patrick McEnroe's US team faces a relegation play-off later this year to maintain their record of playing in the World Group every year since 1989.