Spain completed a 5-0 whitewash against the USA in Santander yesterday to cruise into their first Davis Cup final since 1967.

The home side had already made certain of their place in the final against Australia in December with Saturday's victory in the doubles.

But Juan Carlos Ferrero and Juan Balcells showed great determination yesterday as each came from a set down to win their singles matches against Vince Spadea and Jan-Michael Gambill. Ferrero won Spain's fourth point with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 success over Spadea before Balcells defeated Gambill 1-6, 76, 6-4. Ferrero was broken twice in the first set but rediscovered the form that took him to the semi-finals of the French Open, breaking Spadea to love in the opening game of the second set and going on to clinch it convincingly.

The players twice exchanged breaks in the decider before Ferrero took the match with a venomous return as Spadea served at 4-5.

Balcells had to work a lot harder as a fresher-looking Gambill threatened to run away with the final match.

The big-serving American was in control at a set and 4-3 up with a break before Balcells launched his comeback, taking the second set on a tie-break (72) on his way to victory.

Details in SPORTS ROUND-UP.