Politics intrudes on Davis Cup as Nadal dominates

Croatia and Argentina reached the Davis Cup quarter-finals Saturday while Rafael Nadal boosted title holders Spain in their bid to advance.

But their efforts were overshadowed by violent protests which continued to mar the World Group match pitting Sweden against Israel in Malmo where dozens of masked demonstrators clashed with Swedish police.

Black-clad youths threw bottles of paint, stones and firecrackers at police while five arrests were made.

The violence erupted on the sidelines of an authorised demonstration of some 10,000 people protesting against Israel's recent offensive in Gaza.

Citing security fears, Malmo city council had ordered the three-day match played behind closed doors.

Inside the Baltiska Hallen, Simon Aspelin and Robert Lindstedt gave the hosts a 2-1 lead by ousting Amir Hadad and Andy Ram 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 7/4, 6-4 in the doubles.

In Benidorm, David Ferrer saw off world number three Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 7/3 to give champions Spain the lead over Serbia in a tie delayed from Friday because of galeforce winds.

World number one Nadal then swatted aside Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic 6-1, 6-0, 6-2, but Serbia stayed alive when Viktor Troicki, replacing Djokovic, teamed with Nenad Zimonjic to beat Tommy Robredo and Feliciano Lopez 7-6 7/5, 6-4, 7-6 9/7.

"Janko made a lot of errors and that helped me to a clear win," said Nadal, who lauded Ferrer's achievement in beating Djokovic. "David winning that point was vital in giving the team confidence."

Tipsarevic said: "On clay, Rafa is at another level compared to the rest."

Germany, hoping to take on Spain in the quarters, edged ahead of Austria in Garmisch-Partenkirchen after Nicolas Kiefer and Philipp Kohlschreiber beat Julian Knowle and Alexander Peya in the doubles.

Croatia and Argentina meanwhile coasted into the last eight.

The Croatians ousted visitors Chile when Mario Ancic and Marin Cilic saw off Nicolas Massu and Paul Capdeville - their first day singles victims - 6-3, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

Argentina moved through after Martin Vassallo Arguello and Lucas Arnold hammered Dutch doubles rivals Rogier Wassen and Jesse Huta Galung in straight sets.

Arnold, back after recovering from testicular cancer which forced the 34-year-old off the circuit in 2006, was delighted with his winning return.

"This is a gift for me and I was able to enjoy it to the full after coming through some tough times in the past few years," he said.

Nine-times champions France were struggling after Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Richard Gasquet and Michael Llodra 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 to give the Czech Republic the upper hand at 2-1 in Ostrava.

Stanislas Wawrinka gave the Swiss the early advantage against James Blake before Andy Roddick levelled against Marco Chiudinelli.







Children play on top of rocky desert cliffs at sunset. AP Photo/Hasan Jamali