AFP - Spain will face Israel at home in September's Davis Cup semi-finals after the defending champions defeated Germany 3-2 on Sunday in a drawn-out quarter-final in Marbella.
  
Former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero defeated Davis Cup newcomer Andreas Beck 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the fifth and final reverse singles in two hours and 26 minutes at the outdoor clay court set up at the Puerto Banus bullring.
  
The 29-year-old, who reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, replaced the injured David Ferrer in the defending champions' squad originally and was a late replacement for Tommy Robredo in the singles.
  
"I was lucky to be able to play this last match. These are always difficult matches. I was a bit more nervous than usual but I was able to play solidly and without making mistakes which I think was key," said Ferrero, who last played for Spain in the Davis Cup in 2005.
  
Earlier Sunday, Spain suffered a setback as Philipp Kohlschreiber, ranked 29, defeated ninth-ranked Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 6-2, 1-6, 2-6, 8-6 to level the match at 2-2 in one of the biggest wins of the German's career.
  
"My legs were not working like I wanted and it was so tough to play. It is unfortunate that I lost 8-6 in the fifth but I am proud that I was able to give more than 100 percent of myself," said Verdasco.
  
Spain were without world number two Rafael Nadal who is out due to knee tendinitis.