2012 Davis Cup Semifinals set: Spain vs USA; Czech Republic vs Argentina

Last year's Davis Cup finalists are back in the final four as defending champion Spain crushed Austria 4-1, and finalist Argentina beat Croatia, also 4-1 to both advance in the final four of the 2012 Davis Cup World Group. They were joined in the semifinals by the United States which beat France 3-2, and Czech Republic which downed Serbia 4-1. Of the four ties held this weekend, France was the only host country who did not advance after Team USA moved past their underdog tag to claim their second consecutive victory over a host European country playing on clay. USA also beat Roger Federer in Switzerland in the first round last February.

The 2012 Davis Cup semifinals will be held on September 14-16, 2012. Spain will be hosting the United States and Argentina will host the Czech Republic. Both countries are expected to play to their strengths and host the semifinals ties on outdoor clay. Spain and the United States have met 10 times previously, with both countries winning 5 ties apiece. Spain has won their past two meetings in 2008 and 2011, including a victory on indoor hard courts in Austin, Texas in the 2011 Davis Cup quarterfinal. The last win by the USA over Spain was in the 2007 quarterfinal held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Spain will be the heavy favorites to win their semifinal against the United States with two clay court masters in the world's top 10 in #2 Rafael Nadal and #5 David Ferrer. The United States will be banking on current top 10 players John Isner and Mardy Fish to lead their charge.

The other semifinal will pit Argentina against the Czech Republic. The Argentine team as hosts, will pick the playing surface. The Czech Republic holds a 3-1 advantage in their previous Davis Cup ties. The Czechs won their previous meeting held on indoor carpet in Ostrava, Czech Republic in the 2009 World Group quarterfinals and that tie went down to the fifth and deciding rubber. Argentina was victorious in the 2005 World Group first round by routing the Czechs 5-0 on outdoor red clay. Their other previous meetings were in the 1980s when the Czech players were still competing under Czechoslovakia. Argentina is expected to be led by 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro while the Czech Republic will have world #7 Tomas Berdych as their top player.

Related Links:

Spain's title defence gathers pace | Spain were the overwhelming favourite to prevail in their World Group quarterfinal tie against Austria and they didn’t disappoint, winning all four singles rubbers.

Czechs line up title challenge | Czech duo Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek proved once again they are formidable force in Davis Cup as they dispatched Serbia to reach the World Group semifinals.

Courier relishing underdog tag | USA have already faced tough away ties against Switzerland and France this year, and their trip to Spain in the World Group semifinals will be no different.

Argentina in search of elusive glory | Argentina possess the unwanted record of playing the most Davis Cup Finals without winning the title, but this could be the year that statistic changes.