Porec, Croatia - The 32-times champion US grabbed a desperation point to stay alive in the Davis Cup World Group quarter-finals Saturday while Israel booked a first-ever place in the final four with a 3-0 defeat of Russia. The win in Tel Aviv was clinched by the doubles pair of Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram, who let a lead slip and had to carve out a 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 4-6, 6-4 decision over Igor Kunitsyn and Marat Safin.
The victory for Israel marked the earliest exit in six years for two-time champion Russia, as Safin played in his last tie with retirement due for the 29-year-old at the end of the season.
Israel will square off in September against the winner from Spain and Germany, both three-time champions.
In Marbella, Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco put the hosts and holders into 2-1 command with a doubles defeat of Nicolas Kiefer and
