By Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net

Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA, Inc.

In another more neutral world, Australia and Spain would have to play their November 28-30 Davis Cup final on hard courts, rather than grass in Melbourne where Australia will have a huge advantage. But Davis Cup has always been about securing home victories on favored ground and pulling off upsets on despised surfaces. That's where much of the competition's intrigue comes from.

Australia – thanks to the re-determined Lleyton Hewitt – and Spain – riding the broad shoulders of Carlos Moya – set up a very enticing final. Hewitt largely salvaging his year with a remarkable 5-7, 2-6, 7-6, 7-5, 6-1 win over Switzerland's Roger Federer and Moya smoking Argentina's Gaston Gaudio 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in the fifth and deciding match.

These are the two teams that are and should be playing for the Cup – a pair of nations that this year were able to secure commitments from the their top singles players, avoided injuries and have put together sound doubles teams.

With a few appearances by Andre Agassi or, if Andy Roddick hadn't been hurt in February, the US could have found itself in the final. If Switzerland, England or Morocco can ever discover legitimate third and fourth players, they too might have a chance to lift the silver bowl. If Argentina stays healthy next year and isn't missing their top three players, they just might bring the deepest team ever to the last dance.

VICTORY LEVELS LLEYTON'S YEAR
It's been a long while since Hewitt came off blue rubber at home and stunned a significant player, but that's what he did when he wore down Federer, who was served for the match at 5-3 in the third set.

"This beats the hell out of winning the ('01) U.S. Open and ('02) Wimbledon, I tell you right now," said Hewitt in a bit of historical overstatement. "This is an incredible feeling. He was pretty much unstoppable in that second set. I really had to dig deep. Even when I was 5-3 down, I was just telling myself to hang in there. I felt like I'd be the fitter player and in the end it paid off."

So Hewitt, who has had a disastrous year at the Slams save for his mediocre result at the US Open, now feels vindicated. Give him credit, because he's said all year that winning the Davis Cup is his No. 1 goal and he has certainly performed up to No. 1 standards when he was wearing his country's colors on his back.

"A lot of people have wanted to have goes all year at my form or whatever. This should shut everyone up," he said. "The feeling that I had out there on center court when I was serving for that match, it was the most electric feeling you could ever have. I'm so passionate about playing for Australia. To have all the crowd standing up like that, it was incredible."

Federer was simply pooped after beating the Scud singles Friday, and losing a three-hour plus doubles match with Marc Rosset to Wayne Arthurs and Todd Woodbridge Saturday. Maybe he can convince Martina Hingis to come our of retirement because his country could sure use a second singles player.

FERRERO FAILS SUNDAY

Fred Mullane/Camerawork USA, Inc.

Juan Carlos Ferrero is incredibly enigmatic. How he could lose in straight sets to Agustin Calleri at home with a chance to clinch the tie is nearly beyond comprehension. It's safe to say that when he's not feeling right, he has a hell of a time winning with his "B" game. That's' not the mark of a player who is going to win more than a couple Slams.

But it was a great chance for Moya, who missed out on playing in Spain's title over Australia in Barcelona three years ago.

"This was an historic opportunity for me. It was a case of being the hero or the villain and I played great," Moya said.

So now Australia will have a chance to turn the tables on Spain, which will have leave their clay soles at home. Both Ferrero and Moya are capable on grass but will be decided underdogs should Australia lay a grass court at Rod Laver Arena, which appears more than likely.

But Spanish captain Jordi Arrese isn't counting his ninos out. "The team will make any sacrifice necessary to prepare for this final," Arrese said.

PMac's Fish and Bryans decision pays off
Forget about Andy Roddick's clinching win over the Slovak Republic's Karol Beck 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, it was US Captain Pat McEnroe's excellent hunch to play Mardy Fish in singles and the Bryan Bros. in doubles that keyed the US World Group qualifier win.

After Roddick lost to Dominik Hrbaty on Friday, Fish saved the tie with a four-set stunner over Karol Kucera. The Bryans romped over Hrbaty and Beck in straight sets on Saturday in their debut and according to PMac, earned themselves a definitive spot on the squad next year. Then Kucera injured his hamstring and Roddick roared past sacrificial lamb Beck.

The team was so psyched that they very prematurely began discussing winning the Cup next year. "I think we are better than the team that reached the semifinals last year,'' Roddick said. "I think we'll be disappointed with anything less than winning."

McEnroe added, "We're back in it and we're in it to win it, and I think we can. To go on the road and win on clay is big statement for our own self-confidence and belief. I wouldn't want to play us in the States on the surface of our choosing.''

Belarus and Canada rise
Here's two huge upsets to sink your teeth into: Belarus stunning three-time champ Germany in Sundern behind Max Mirnyi and Canada shocking Brazil behind ferocious Frank Dancevic in Calgary.

After Mirnyi beat Rainer Schuettler 6-3, 7-5, 6-3, German captain Patrick Kuehnen was totally stunned that his squad would be relegated to the qualies for the first time in 20 years. "This is a bitter setback for the team and for me personally," he said. "I had big goals for the team but we couldn't achieve them. Now we have to think positively and work for the future."

The Toronto Globe & Mail's Tom Tebbutt called Canada's upset of Brazil just before he left the US Open and who else would have such faith in the likes of Daniel Nestor, Simon Larose, Frederic Niemeyer and fabulous Franck in singles against Gustavo Kuerten and Flavio Saretta? Only a man who plays yellowball on glorified hockey rinks all winter, that's who.

Give it up to Nestor for outlasting Guga 6-7 (9), 7-6 (0), 6-3, 6-7 (9), 7-5 Friday and then after Niemeyer lost to Saretta 4-6, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 4-6, teaming with the same Frederic to beat Kuerten/Andre Sa 6-3, 6-2, 1-6, 6-2 in dubs. But then the gutsy Guga took out Larose 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4), 3-6, 7-6 (10) and it was up to Dancevic to overcome Saretta 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7). A Canada v. US first rounder is looking quite competitive, especially if it's played somewhere where the moose are loose.

Give it up to Britain for playing tough in a 3-2 loss to Morocco away. In Friday's singles, Hicham Arazi beat Tim Henman and Younes El Aynaoui took out Greg Rusedski. But then the British pair teamed up to win the doubles and Henman shocked El Aynaoui. Rusedski had his chances against Arazi, but fell 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5) on dirt.

Even if they are a bit undermanned, an inspired run by Morocco next year is not out of the question, that is if Arazi decides to recommit himself to his sport full-time once again.