John Isner and the U.S. Davis Cup team saw firsthand that Spain's dominance isn't limited to Rafael Nadal.

David Ferrer beat Isner 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 Sunday in Gijon, Spain, to give the defending champions an insurmountable 3-1 lead and a shot at a fourth title in five years. In the Nov. 16-18 final, Spain will visit the Czech Republic, which beat Argentina 3-2 in Buenos Aires.

Helped by Isner's 70 unforced errors, Ferrer rallied to stay unbeaten on clay in Davis Cup with his 16th straight win.

"Spain is the high-water mark in the Davis Cup in the last 15 years. We always knew it was going to be close," U.S. captain Jim Courier said. "They have great individual players, great depth and great passion for Davis Cup."

Isner was left slamming his racket in frustration.

"The Spanish team was just too good," Isner said. "They won the important points."

The last singles match between Nicolas Almagro and Sam Querrey wasn't played.

Nadal has been sidelined since June because of a knee injury.

The Czech Republic clinched its win when Tomas Berdych defeated Carlos Berlocq 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. Berlocq filled in for Juan Martin del Potro, who missed the decisive reverse singles because of a left wrist injury.

• Roger Federer beat Robin Haase 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 to clinch Switzerland's 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in a Davis Cup World Group playoff in Amsterdam.

Morgan leads U.S. soccer team to win

• Alex Morgan scored one goal and set up another as the U.S. women's national soccer team rallied from a first-half deficit to beat Australia 2-1 in Carson in the second game on its post-Olympic tour.

Morgan scored the tying goal in the 55th minute and earned the penalty kick Shannon Boxx converted eight minutes later.

• The UC Davis women (4-3-1) lost for the third time in the last four matches, 1-0 to Cal State Bakersfield (3-6-1) in the Saint Mary's tournament in Moraga, UCD reported.

• In his UC Davis debut, goalkeeper Kris Schultz had a shutout until Aaron Simmons headed in a shot in the 88th minute to give SMU (4-2-1) a 1-0 victory over the Aggies (2-2-4) in the SMU Classic in Dallas, UCD reported.

• The Sacramento State men lost at home for only the third time in the last four seasons, 2-1 to San Jose State, according to the Sac State athletics website. The Spartans (2-3-0) won on Steven Sanchez's goal in the 89th minute. Gabe Silveira scored for the Hornets (2-4-1).

• The host Sac State women lost 3-2 to Penn in double overtime, according to the Sac State athletics website. Erin Mikolai scored the winner for the Quakers (3-3). Megan Burg sent the game to overtime with a goal in the 88th minute for the Hornets (2-4-2).

Two NHL players join Russian team

On the first day of the NHL lockout, reigning MVP Evgeni Malkin of Pittsburgh and Ottawa defenseman Sergei Gonchar signed with Mettalurg of the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia through the end of the 2012-13 season.

No formal labor talks were held, and none are planned.

General

• U.S. speedskating coach Jae Su Chun was placed on administrative leave, hours after his spokesman released a statement denying claims of verbal, physical and psychological abuse brought by current and former members of the national team, including five Olympic medalists.

• Jonathan Tiernan-Locke became the first homegrown winner of the Tour of Britain in 19 years after finishing safely in the main pack in the final stage won by compatriot Mark Cavendish in Guildford, England.

– Associated Press

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