Israel stun Russia in Davis Cup
Igor Andreev lost to Harel Levy in the opening rubber
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Friday, 10, Jul 2009 10:10
Underdogs Israel took a shock 2-0 lead over Russia in the Davis Cup quarter-finals in Tel Aviv.
Despite being ranked 200 places behind his opponent, Harel Levy defeated world number 24 Igor Andreev 6-4 6-2 4-6 6-2 in two hours and 51 minutes.
Then Israeli number one Dudi Sela beat Mikhail Youzhny 3-6 6-1 6-0 7-5 to move the Israelis on the brink of the last four.
Israeli now need to win just one of the three remaining rubbers, and they hope to clinch victory in Saturday's doubles when Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich take on Igor Kunitsyn and Marat Safin.
Elsewhere, defending champions Spain were level after the first day of their clash with Germany in Marbella.
The hosts drew first blood when Fernando Verdasco fought back from two sets to one down to beat Andreas Beck 6-0 3-6 6-7 6-2 6-1.
But Philipp Kohlschreiber hit back in the next rubber after seeing off Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-4 6-4.
It is also level in the tie between the Czech Republic and Argentina in Ostrava.
Czech star Tomas Berdych came back from two sets to one down to beat Juan Monaco 6-4 2-6 2-6 6-3 6-2.
Argentine number one Juan Martin Del Potro levelled the scores when he defeated Ivo Minar 6-1 6-3 6-3.
In the other last-eight tie, Ivo Karlovic got Croatia off to a flying start against the USA, coming from two sets down to beat James Blake.
The giant fired 47 aces as he came back for the first time in his career to win 6-7 4-6 6-3 7-6 7-5.