Kohlschreiber downs Robredo to level Davis Cup tie
MARBELLA, Spain (Reuters) - Philipp Kohlschreiber beat Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-4 6-4 to put Germany level at 1-1 with champions Spain in their Davis Cup World Group quarter-final on Friday.
World number nine Fernando Verdasco had earlier recovered to defeat Davis Cup newcomer Andreas Beck 6-0 3-6 6-7 6-2 6-1 in sweltering conditions on the clay at the bull ring in Marbella.
"He really played good the second and third sets but after I lost the third in the tiebreak I thought I should be more aggressive with my serve and with my game at the baseline," Verdasco said. "I am happy that I reacted in time."
Spain, who beat Argentina in last year's final to claim their third title, are without world number two Rafael Nadal and number 22 David Ferrer, who are both injured.
Verdasco is likely to team up with Feliciano Lopez for Saturday's doubles rubber against the German pair of Nicolas Kiefer and Mischa Zverev, with the reverse singles in the best of five tie scheduled for Sunday.
The winners will play Russia or Israel in the last four, with the Israelis taking a surprise 2-0 lead after Friday's singles in Tel Aviv.
Spain defeated Germany at this stage of the 2008 edition and have won their last 15 ties at home and their last 17 on clay.
(Writing by Iain Rogers in Madrid, editing by Ken Ferris)
