Juan Carlos Ferrero and David Ferrer gave champions Spain a 2-0 lead over Israel with crushing singles victories on the opening day of their Davis Cup World Group semi-final on Friday.
Roared on by the boisterous home support in Murcia, former world number one Ferrero thumped Dudi Sela 6-4, 6-2, 6-0 after Ferrer had earlier thrashed Harel Levy 6-1, 6-4, 6-3.
Israel are through to the last four for the first time but must now win Saturday's doubles and the two reverse singles on Sunday if they are to upset the home side on their favoured clay surface.
Ferrero, a former French Open champion, has been enjoying a fine run of form, climbing back up the rankings to 21, and sealed victory against Sela on his first match point when the world number 29 went wide with a forehand.
Local favourite Ferrer, who was born just up the coast in Javea, was cheered on by top-10 pair Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco, both out injured, who were watching from the stands at the purpose-built, 12,000-seater arena.
Tommy Robredo and Feliciano Lopez are due to take on doubles specialists Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram on Saturday and the winners of the tie will play Croatia or Czech Republic in the final at the beginning of December.
FEDERER CRUISES TO VICTORY
World number one Roger Federer cruised to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 win over Simone Bolelli to help Switzerland take a 2-0 lead in their Davis Cup World Group playoff against Italy in Genoa.
Federer said he felt tired before the match after flying back to Europe following his five-set defeat by Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro in Monday's US Open final but it rarely showed.
He surrendered a break advantage in the fourth game of the second set with a couple of poor forehands but he regained it in the next game and went on to wrap up the match with ease.
Earlier his team-mate Stanislas Wawrinka pulled off a 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 win over Andreas Seppi, who took a break at the start of the third set because of stomach cramps.
Federer is down to join forces with Wawrinka on Saturday for the doubles match against Fabio Fognini and Potito Starace before the return singles rubbers on Sunday.
If Switzerland win the playoff they will retain their place in the World Group but if Italy stage a comeback they will replace the Swiss in the top tier of the competition.
