Murcia, Spain (Sports Network) - With Friday singles victories coming from David Ferrer and former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, reigning champion and heavy favorite Spain grabbed a commanding 2-0 lead over visiting Israel in their best-of-five Davis Cup semifinal.
In the opening singles, Ferrer got the hosts going with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 peppering of Harel Levy, while the nightcap saw the former French Open champion Ferrero paste Dudi Sela 6-4, 6-2, 6-0.
The Spaniards can clinch the tie in Saturday's doubles rubber, which is scheduled to pit a Spanish tandem of Feliciano Lopez and Tommy Robredo against an Israeli duo of Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram. Sunday's reverse singles currently call for Ferrer to face Sela and Ferrero to take on Levy.
The event is being staged on red clay at Polaris World la Torre Golf Resort.
The champion Spaniards are captained by former French Open winner Albert Costa, while the Israelis are led by Eyal Ran. Israel is competing in its first-ever Davis Cup semifinal.
The hosts are playing without former world No. 1 star Rafael Nadal, who has battled knee and abdominal injuries this summer.
Spain is 3-0 all-time versus Israel, with their last meeting coming in Ramat Hasharon in 1996 and the Spaniards prevailing 4-1.
Three-time champion Spain, which upset host Argentina in last year's final, has won its last 16 home ties.
The Spain-Israel winner will meet the Croatia-Czech Republic victor in the 2009 Davis Cup Final in the first week of December.