Cilic celebrates Croatia's victory over the USA with a rubber to spare

Cilic celebrates Croatia's victory over the USA with a rubber to spare

Croatia knocked the United States out of the Davis Cup to reach the semi-finals for the first time since winning the competition in 2005.

Leading 2-1 overnight, Marin Cilic beat James Blake 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-2 in the reverse singles to clinch the victory.

Croatia next face the Czech Republic, who beat 2008 finalists Argentina 3-2 when Radek Stepanek saw off Juan Monaco 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 6-2 in the fifth rubber.

And holders Spain edged out Germany 3-2 to set up a last-four tie with Israel.

It needed a 6-4 6-4 6-4 win from Juan Carlos Ferrero over Andreas Beck in the deciding rubber for Spain to get over the finishing line, after Philipp Kohlschreiber's victory over Fernando Verdasco had levelled the scoreline at 2-2.

This is not the end. We'll do all we can to get even further Radek Stepanek, Czech Republic

Kohlschreiber dominated Verdasco in the opening two sets in the earlier singles but appeared to wilt in the searing heat in Marbella before digging deep to close out a 6-4 6-2 1-6 2-6 8-6 victory.

But Ferrero justified captain Albert Costa's decision to pick him instead of Tommy Robredo for the crucial match, with world number two Rafael Nadal absent through injury.

"It's been a long time since I was in the team as we are blessed with a lot of great players," said Ferrero.

"Playing the last match is always hard and we suffered right down to the last point but I am over the moon."

In Ostrava, Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro had defeated Tomas Berdych 6-4 6-4 6-4 to level the tie with the Czech Republic at 2-2.

Big-serving Del Potro hit 18 aces against Berdych and won 96% of the points on his first serve - 100% in the first set - as he sent the tie into a deciding rubber.

But Stepanek kept his nerve against Monaco, winning the first set on a tie-break on his way to a decisive victory.

"It's unbelievable," said Stepanek. "And this is not the end. We'll do all we can to get even further."

The Czech Republic led 2-1 on Saturday after Berdych and Stepanek defeated Jose Acasuso and Leonardo Mayer 6-1 6-4 6-3.

Croatia had led 2-0 after Friday's opening singles before brothers Bob and Mike Bryan gave the USA hope by beating Roko Karanusic and Lovro Zovko 6-3 6-1 6-3 on the indoor clay at Zatika Hall.

Israel had already wrapped up victory over Russia in Saturday's doubles, and they completed a 4-1 win in Tel Aviv on Sunday.