Davis Final QF: Spain and Germany Even at 1-1

GERMANY @ SPAIN (TIED 1-1)
Venue: Plaza de Toros de Puerto Banus, Marbella (Outdoor Clay)

Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def Andreas Beck (GER) 6-0, 3-6, 6-7, 6-2, 6-1
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) def Tommy Robredo (ESP) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4

No big surprises on Day 1 in Andalusia, as Spain and Germany split the first two matches of a very even match-up to go into Saturday even at 1-1.

Andreas Beck coming within a set of beating Fernando Verdasco might have been surprising if the Spaniard didn't have such a reputation for flightiness. Verdasco won the first set 6-0, and proceeded to largely disappear for the next hour or so. That Verdasco was able to come back in front of a mass of supporters was not unexpected, nor was Beck's complete inability to close out what would have been one of the biggest wins of his career.

The good-but-not-great tennis Tommy Robredo consistently delivers wasn't enough against Philipp Kohlschreiber, who as a shotmaker excels against a steady, backboard player like Robredo. Kohlschreiber looked the best of the four today, and definitely has to be given a shot of beating Verdasco on Sunday.

The remaining three matchups in this tie can all be considered toss-ups. Should make for an interesting next couple of days.