The Spanish team won the two singles matches on the opening day of its Davis Cup semifinal against Israel to virtually book a place in the final of the tennis team event.

Although Rafael Nadal was sidelined with a stomach injury, the reigning champions got off to a flying start when David Ferrer defeated the Israeli number two Harel Levy 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 in a one-sided match that lasted just one hour and 55 minutes.

Next on court in Murcia was Juan Carlos Ferrero, who was brought into the team to replace Nadal.

Ferrero was up against Dudi Sela, who with a world ranking of 29, is theoretically the strongest player in the Israeli team.

However, Ferrero had even fewer problems that Ferrer in seeing off his rival, romping home to 6-4, 6-2, 6-0 win as Sela was completely unable to adapt to the beaten clay playing surface.

Victory in Saturday's doubles will qualify Spain for a clash in the final against either Croatia or the Czech Republic.

(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2009)