Austria beats Russia in Davis Cup

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WIENER NEUSTADT, Austria -- Jurgen Melzer eased past Alex Bogomolov Jr. of Russia 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 Sunday to help Austria reach the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup for the first time since 1995.

Melzer's victory gave Austria an insurmountable 3-1 lead and set up a quarterfinal against defending champion Spain in April. Russia's Igor Kunitsyn defeated Andreas Haider-Maurer 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (4) in the meaningless final singles match, leaving Austria with a 3-2 victory

Two-time champion Russia lost its opening series for a second straight year.

On Friday, Melzer won Austria's first point against Igor Kunitsyn and Bogolomov made his Davis Cup debut but lost to Andreas Haider-Maurer. Russia won Saturday's doubles.

Croatia reaches quarters

HYOGO, Japan -- Big-serving Ivo Karlovic beat Go Soeda 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-4, sending Croatia past Japan 3-2 and into the quarterfinals.

Kei Nishikori defeated Ivan Dodig 7-5, 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the day's first reverse singles to pull the host nation even in the best-of-five. first-round series. But Soeda was overpowered by Karlovic, who had 17 aces.

Croatia advances to the quarterfinals in April while Japan goes to a promotion/relegation playoff in September. Japan was playing in the World Group for the first time in 26 years after beating India 4-1 in a regional playoff in September. Croatia is seventh in the Davis Cup rankings, 10 places ahead of Japan.

Tipsarevic helps Serbia advance

NIS, Serbia -- Janko Tipsarevic beat Michael Ryderstedt of Sweden in straight sets to send Serbia to the quarterfinals against the Czech Republic.

Tipsarevic won 6-2, 7-6 (5), 7-5 to give Serbia an unassailable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five series on an indoor hard court in the central Serbian town of Nis. In the last match, Serbia's Dusan Lajovic beat Filip Prpic 6-4, 6-4 for the final 4-1 score.

The Serbians won the two opening singles matches, but Swedes Johan Brunstrom and Robert Lindstedt beat Tipsarevic and Nenad Zimonjic in Saturday's doubles.

Serbia played without top-ranked Novak Djokovic, who is resting after winning the Australian Open.

Spain wraps up sweep of Kazakhstan

OVIEDO, Spain -- Nicolas Almagro and Marcel Granollers won Sunday's reverse singles matches to complete a 5-0, first-round sweep for defending Davis Cup champion Spain against Kazakhstan.

Almagro opened by beating Evgeny Korolev 6-3, 6-4. Granollers then defeated Andrey Golubev 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-3.

Both teams made changes after Spain clinched best-of-five series victory in Saturday's doubles. Korolev replaced Mikhail Kukushkin while Granollers stepped in for Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Spain will host Austria in the quarterfinals April 6-8. Kazakhstan must compete in a September playoff to keep its place in the World Group.

Italy avoids shutout vs. Czechs

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic -- Simone Bolelli defeated substitute Frantisek Cermak 6-4, 6-4 for Italy's lone consolation win against the Czech Republic.

The Czechs won the best-of-five series 4-1. Italy needs to win a playoff to stay in the World Group.

The Czechs already earned a spot in the quarters following their victories in the opening singles and the doubles and rested their top players -- Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek in the reverse singles.

Earlier Sunday, Lukas Rosol came from a set down to upset Andreas Seppi for the Czech Republic to stretch its lead to 4-0.

Berdych and Stepanek defeated Daniele Braccialli and Potito Starace 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in Saturday's doubles.

Marcel Stebe gives Germany consolation win

BAMBERG, Germany -- Cedrik-Marcel Stebe salvaged some pride for Germany, beating Eduardo Schwank 7-6 (1), 7-5 Sunday in a consolation win against Argentina.

Argentina won the best-of-five series 4-1 and will play Croatia in the quarterfinals in April. Germany faces a playoff to stay in the World Group.

Earlier Sunday, Juan Ignacio Chela defeated Florian Mayer 7-5, 7-5 to stretch Argentina's lead to 4-0.

The visitors clinched their place in the quarters Saturday when Schwank and David Nalbandian rallied from two sets down to beat Tommy Haas and Philipp Petzschner 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to decide the series.

Argentina was the runner-up last year to Spain and is seeking its first title after losing four finals. Germany has won three titles.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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