Ferrer sends Spain into semis against France; Croatia set up US date

PARIS, Apr 9 (Reuters): David Ferrer toppled Philipp Kohlschreiber in a thrilling five-hour marathon decider as Spain roared back from 2-1 down in their Davis Cup tie against Germany to reach the semi-finals on Sunday.

Spain will meet France in the semis after the holders reached the last four for a third year in a row with Lucas Pouille fighting back to beat Fabio Fognini 2-6 6-1 7-6(3) 6-3 in Genoa and clinch a 3-1 victory over Italy.

French number one Pouille overpowered him in the tiebreak before comfortably sealing the fourth set.

Croatia also made it into the last four as Australian Open runner-up Marin Cilic crushed Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin 6-1 6-1 6-1 in Varazdin to seal their tie 3-1.

Croatia will meet the United States in the semis in September.