Israel's Davis Cup runneth over

Israel embarked on its charmed 2009 Davis Cup run with a 3-2 first-round win over Sweden that will be remembered more for its attendant political controversy than any on-court action. The indoor match was held in the Swedish port city of Malmo (home to a substantial Muslim immigrant community) in early March, less than two months after the end of the Gaza War.

Citing security concerns, Malmo authorities closed the match to fans, leading to a $25,000 fine on the Swedish tennis federation and a five-year ban on the Malmo hosting Davis Cup matches. Israel rode its momentum back to its Tel Aviv home court, brushing aside the formidable Russian team of Mikhail Youzhny, Marat Safin and company 4-1 to earn a semifinal spot against reigning champion Spain.

But the Israelis' good fortune was bound to run out eventually. On their home clay in September, the Spaniards nearly shut out the visitors, save for Harel Levy's meaningless defeat of Feliciano Lopez once the deal had been sealed. The Cup never made it to its own shores, but Israel's 2009 Davis campaign was without a doubt its most successful yet.