David Ferrer tops Sam Querrey for 1-0 Davis Cup lead

David Ferrer rallied past Sam Querrey 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 to give defending champion Spain a 1-0 lead over the United States in their Davis Cup semifinal on Friday.

Ferrer, who played in the U.S. Open semifinals on Sunday, started well with a break but trailed after the first set.

Querrey, returning to Davis Cup play for the first time since 2010, failed to maintain his early rhythm. He was broken six times by the fifth-ranked Ferrer, who won in 3 hours, 3 minutes.

Without an injured Rafael Nadal, Spain aims to reach its fourth final in five years.

John Isner will face Nicolas Almagro in the second singles later Friday.

The winner of the weekend matches will play either Argentina or the Czech Republic in the final in November.