Ferrer sends Davis Cup holders Spain into last four

David Ferrer handed holders Spain a place in the Davis Cup semi-finals on Sunday after beating Jurgen Melzer 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 to give the hosts an unassailable 3-1 lead over Austria in their World Group quarter-final tie.

Spain -- who prevailed despite the absence of world number two Rafael Nadal -- will play the United States, who beat France, in September's semi-finals.

Ferrer, ranked five in the world, upped the ante after a fiercely contested first set and broke 21st-ranked Melzer in his first service game of the second set as he produced several sizzling returns of serve.

However, Melzer showed his mettle in breaking back to trail 4-3 but Ferrer replied brilliantly to break the Austrian's serve immediately and then serve out for the set.

The duo shared the first six games of the third set before Ferrer wore down his opponent to break him and then held serve before sealing the match on the Austrian's serve, after Melzer had saved two match points.