Davis Cup is the most emotional event in tennis. The pressures of playing for team and country either lift players up to the heights of glory or push them deep into dank pits of shame and despair. Which from a fan perspective, makes Davis Cup damn entertaining, even if you’re watching a fuzzy broadcast of Mardy Fish vs. Marin Cilic in the fifth set on clay.

Here are the highs and lows of this weekend’s Davis Cup Quarterfinals:

CZECH REPUBLIC DEFEATS ARGENTINA 3-2 in Czech Republic

You know it’s a good tie when there’s a live 5th rubber. Radek “The Worm” Stepanek steamrolled Juan Monaco in the penultimate match, inventing yet another diabolical victory dance:

“Stepanek collapsed in a heap and then, while seated, grabbed hold of an imaginary steering wheel: there had never been much doubt who was in the driving seat, although apparently there had been the night before when Stepanek’s knee condition was giving serious cause for concern.” (via daviscup.com)

Poor Juan, no wonder he was driven to tears:

CZECH REPUBLIC vs. ARGENTINA scores:

R1 – T.BERDYCH (CZE) def. J.MONACO (ARG): 6-4  2-6  2-6  6-3  6-2
R2 – J.DEL POTRO (ARG) def. I.MINAR (CZE): 6-1  6-3  6-3
R3 – R.STEPANEK / T.BERDYCH (CZE) def. L.MAYER / J.ACASUSO (ARG): 6-1  6-4  6-3
R4 – J.DEL POTRO (ARG) def. T.BERDYCH (CZE): 6-4  6-4  6-4
R5 – R.STEPANEK (CZE) def. J.MONACO (ARG): 7-6(5)  6-3  6-2

CROATIA DEFEATS USA 3-2 in Croatia

James Blake took the No. 1 spot when an injured Andy Roddick pulled from DC this weekend, and unfortunately, he couldn’t make good. Both he and Mardy Fish lost excruciating five setters on Friday, which – at over 8 hours of play – became one of the longest days in Davis Cup history. The Bryan Brothers’ victory on Saturday only served to give Blake another crushing memory as he lost the fourth rubber to a scary-good Marin Cilic.

James Blake indicated that he couldn’t handle the pressure when he complained about the “hostile” behavior of the Croatian crowd on Friday:

“To boo our fans is something I find unacceptable. . . To clap when I miss a first serve and things like that on a pretty consistent basis seems pretty hostile to me.” (via daviscup.com)

Uh, James, you did realize you were playing Davis Cup, right?

Bob Bryan scored the second point for Team USA in the dead fifth rubber.

CROATIA vs USA scores:

R1 – I.KARLOVIC (CRO) def. J.BLAKE (USA): 6-7(5)  4-6  6-3  7-6(3)  7-5
R2 – M.CILIC (CRO) def. M.FISH (USA): 4-6  6-3  6-7(3)  6-1  8-6
R3 – B.BRYAN / M.BRYAN (USA) def. R.KARANUSIC / L.ZOVKO (CRO): 6-3  6-1  6-3
R4 – M.CILIC (CRO) def. J.BLAKE (USA): 6-3  6-3  4-6  6-2
R5 – B.BRYAN (USA) def. R.KARANUSIC (CRO): 5-7  6-3  7-6(4)

ISRAEL DEFEATS RUSSIA 4-1 in Israel

Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich secured the third crucial point in their doubles match against Marat Safin and Igor Kunitsyn on Saturday, taking Israel into the Davis Cup semis for the first time in history.

From Israel’s team captain Eyal Ran:

“I actually can’t describe how I feel. I am so proud to be an Israeli today, to be a part of this team, so proud to be part of this sport and Davis Cup tennis.” (via JTA)

This is yet another disappointing pre-retirement result for Marat Safin, who helped usher Team Russia to Davis Cup glory in 2002 and 2006. Not that losing makes him any less photogenic:

ISRAEL vs. RUSSIA scores:

R1 – H.LEVY (ISR) def. I.ANDREEV (RUS): 6-4  6-2  4-6  6-2
R2 – D.SELA (ISR) def. M.YOUZHNY (RUS): 3-6  6-1  6-0  7-5
R3 – J.ERLICH / A.RAM (ISR) def. I.KUNITSYN / M.SAFIN (RUS): 6-3  6-4  6-7(3)  4-6  6-4
R4 – I.ANDREEV (RUS) def. D.SELA (ISR): 4-3 – Retired
R5 – H.LEVY (ISR) def. I.KUNITSYN (RUS): 6-4  4-6  7-6(2)

SPAIN DEFEATS GERMANY 3-2 in Spain

We learned a few things from this tie in Marbella, Spain. First of all, Spain knows how to fill a tennis stadium:

Second, Philipp Kohlschreiber is having a great year. After beating Novak Djokovic in the French and taking Roger to four sets at Wimbledon, the German won both his rubbers on clay in Spain. His second match was a must-win five set victory over Fernando Verdasco on Sunday to even the tie 2-all.

But 29-year-old Juan Carlos Ferrero is having an even better 2009. He last played Davis Cup in 2005 and was subbed in for Tommy Robredo at the last minute on Sunday, but he proved that he’s still player enough to win live fifth rubbers: “It’s amazing what I felt on court today,” he said after taking out Andreas Beck in straights.

Also amazing, how well the Spanish do group celebrations. Even without Rafael Nadal, they pull off sexy-crows’ feet and tussled, sweaty hair better than any other team:

Speaking of sexy Spaniards, Antonio Banderas is a fan:

SPAIN vs. GERMANY scores:

R1 – F.VERDASCO (ESP) def. A.BECK (GER): 6-0  3-6  6-7(4)  6-2  6-1
R2 – P.KOHLSCHREIBER (GER) def. T.ROBREDO (ESP): 6-3  6-4  6-4
R3 – F.LOPEZ / F.VERDASCO (ESP) def. N.KIEFER / M.ZVEREV (GER): 6-3  7-6(1)  6-7(6)  6-3
R4 – P.KOHLSCHREIBER (GER) def. F.VERDASCO (ESP): 6-4  6-2  1-6  2-6  8-6
R5 – J.FERRERO (ESP) def. A.BECK (GER): 6-4  6-4  6-4

The Davis Cup excitement continues in September’s semifinals. Spain will host Israel and Croatia will host the Czech Republic.

All photos via Daylife

Stepanek in the driver’s seat: SAMUEL KUBANI/AFP/Getty Images

Juan Monaco cries: AP Photo/Petr David Josek

Blake talks to the towel: AP Photo/Darko Bandic

Marin Cilic celebration: HRVOJE POLAN/AFP/Getty Images

Hostile Mohawk: HRVOJE POLAN/AFP/Getty Images

Ehrlich and Ram make history: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

Woe is Safin: AP Photo/Ariel Schalit

Kissy face Safin: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

Passionate Safin: AP Photo/Ariel Schalit

Rockin’ stadium: REUTERS/Jon Nazca

Kohlscreiber’s glory: DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty Images

Verdasco blames his brain: REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Crows feet confidential: REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Antonio Banderas fan and fans: AP Photo/Sergio Torres

So Roger Federer was forced to win in four sets (6-3, 6-2, 7-6, 6-1) against Philipp Kohlschreiber today  – the same talented German with the sweet one-hander who knocked out Novak Djokovic at the French Open (not to be confused with Tommy Haas, who beat Nole at Halle.) It was only the third time in six Wimbledons that Roger’s lost a set in the first week.

It was a little scary for Fed fans – not because he lost the third set but because he took a  nasty fall on the grass.

Heart-stopper #1:

Heart-stopper #2:

Perhaps it was the high level of play and the struggle against a talented player that made Roger call this match his best of the week so far. Love the confidence in his post match interview with the BBC:

Roger elaborated a bit more in the press conference:

“I thought it was my best match of the tournament so far. I thought the rhythm was very high. We played a lot of tough points. I really thought, you know, from my side it was an excellent match. Of course, you know, you also need the opponent to come up also with the goods to make it an exciting match, and I thought it was. Sure, I would have loved to win in straight, but he came back strong. . .I was happy how I reacted. Thought I didn’t panic. Was an excellent match in the end.”

Speaking of the his opponent’s great play, how ridiculous was it when ESPN’s Chris Fowler wrote off Kohlschreiber as a “club player” during the second set? Thanks to Pat McEnroe for correcting him! (He also said that Roger wasn’t going to be happy with the match.)

Baby watch update: Mirka was back in the stands after a rare day off on Wednesday.  Glad she’s feeling better – and looking fantastic:

Roger will face another tough competitor on Monday in French Open finalist Robin Soderling.

Federer’s scary slip: AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus via Daylife

Federer sends hearts pounding: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Image via Daylife

This is a legitimate shocker – the guy everyone was pegging to be Nadal’s main rival at Roland Garros was knocked out in the third round today by German James-McAvoy-look-alike, Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Even more shocking: it was in straight sets. Also shocking: Novak Djokovic didn’t retire or make excuses.

Here’s Novak still trying to get over his disbelief after the match:

“I mean, it’s a Grand Slam. Look, you know, I’m one of the favorites to get far in the tournament. This cannot happen. Of course, it’s all my fault, and I accept the responsibility.”

He denied feeling any physical problems, saying, “I think it was just me and my head today.”

Here’s Novak Dejected-ovic putting on a brave face:

Yep, Novak totally pulled a Venus. Hard to say if there was too much or too little between the ears. Can you retire for brain cramps?

Novak’s section of the draw is now wide open – with del Potro and Tsonga the big contenders. The two giants meet next in the Round of 16, with the winner to face either Kohlschreiber or Robredo. A very interesting state of affairs, indeed.

The Round of 16 is set (how time flies!), with a few major dark horses in the mix:

Nadal vs. Soderling, Davydenko vs. Verdasco, Murray vs. Cilic, Gonzalez vs. Hanescu, del Potro vs. Tsonga, Robredo vs. Kohlschreiber, Roddick vs. Monfils, Haas vs. Federer.

Besides Nadal in the final, almost everything else is a toss-up. Murray vs. Cilic, Roddick vs. “knees” Monfeelz and delPo vs. Tsonga are especially intriguing. Tommy Haas is in good form – I hope these tight four set matches that Roger’s playing are just his way of practicing for the Big One.

P.S. Thanks to everyone who particpated in our first ever live chat “Tennis Party” It was lots of fun and we look forward to hanging again soon!

Novak and his head: photo by JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP/Getty Images via Yahoo!Sports