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SANTANDER, Spain. July 21: Albert Costa on Friday gave Spain their first point of tliv Davis ( up
World Group semifinal beating the United Stales team's top player Todd Marlin 6-4. 6-4, 6-4 as he wilted under the midday
sun. reports AFP.
The opening loss Is a huge blow to the US squad, already shaken by Ihe absence oi top players Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. and who were count- ing on the lanky Martin, who has a 13-2 record against Spaniards on clay.
But the Fiori da-based player, who has been absent from the circuit for most of this year because of injury, could not match the power of clay court specialist Costa going down in 2hrs
Costa won the opening set 6-4 in 39 minutes, breaking Martin’s serve in the third game, in sweltering conditions at (lie 10.500-seat temporary stadium at Real Sociedad de Tenls de la
Magdalena in the northern Spanish resort town of Santander near Bilbao
The 30-year-old Marfin, serving first in the second set. got oil to a flying start, by breaking his opponent's serve in the second game to go 2-0 up. But the Spaniard came back immediately winning the next three games in a row
There were a total of five service breaks In the second set three in favour of the Spaniard, ranked 16th on the ATP's entry list, with the American, ranked 29th, going on to lose the second set 6-4 in 45 minutes.
The crucial game in the third set was the ninth when 25-year-old French Open quarterfinalist Costa broke his American opponent's serve and went on to win the rubber
The loss leaves the Americans with a mountain to climb in this best-of-five series.
In order to keep their hopes alive Wimbledon quarterfinalist Jan-Michael Gambill will have to win his match later on Friday against Spanish number one Alex Corretja.
in their only previous meeting at the Stuttgart Indoor in 1998. the 23-year-old American won the day with a 6-2. 6-4 victory.
But 26-year-old Corretja, ranked seventh In the world, has been in top form recently and tuned up for the tie by lifting the Swiss Open last Monday. his second title of the year after the Masters Series event at Indian Wells in March.
With the home advantage playing on their favoured red clay the Spaniards are now full steam ahead In their bld to reach their third Davis Cup final -- they were finalists m 1965 and 1967 but have never lifted the silver trophy.
However, the Americans have come from behind twice this year against Zimbabwe and the Czech Republic and over the years have won more Davis Cup titles than any other nation lifting the trophy on 31 occasions.
While the Spaniards despite having great players have underachieved over the years.
In the five previous Davis Cup meetings between the two countries, the United States lead. 3-1. last defeating the Spaniards 4-1 at the 1991 quarterfinals in Newport. Rhode Island,