Spain, Germany 1-1 at Davis Cup tennis

MARBELLA, Spain, July 10 (UPI) -- Fernando Verdasco and Philipp Kohlschreiber won their singles matches Friday, leaving Spain and Germany in a 1-1 tie in their Davis Cup quarterfinal.

The event is being played on the red clay at Plaza de Toros in Marbella, Spain, where the Spaniards hope to defend their 2008 title.

Spain has won 15 straight home Davis Cup ties, but is playing without World No. 1 Rafael Nadal (knee tendinitis).

Verdasco needed five sets before beating Andreas Beck, a Davis Cup newcomer 6-0, 3-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, 6-1.

"The fifth set was completely different to the first," Verdasco said after a surprisingly tough opener. "I served better and played better, I was more aggressive and I think he was also a bit tired."

Kohlschreiber then made it 1-1 by trouncing Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

Saturday, Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez face Nicolas Kiefer and Mischa Zverev in a key doubles match.