Kohlschreiber downs Robredo to level tie

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 yesterday.

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 today'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 tomorrow.

The winners will play Russia or Israel in the last four, with the Israelis taking a surprise 2-0 lead after yesterday'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.

Quarters-finals: Spain vs Germany 1-1; Israel leads Russia 2-0; C. Republic vs Argentina 1-1; Croatia leads USA 1-0.

Swedish Open

Danish teenager Caroline Wozniacki will play her sixth final of the year today when she tackles Spain's Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez in the Swedish Open final.

The top-seeded Wozniacki, who is ranked number nine in the world, saw off third-seeded Italian Flavia Pennetta 6-3 4-6 6-2 in her semi-final yesterday.

Wozniacki, who turns 19 today, said victory in the final would be a "fantastic birthday present."