Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic suffered a dramatic on-court collapse as he failed in his brave bid to rescue Serbia's Davis Cup dream against Russia on Sunday.
The Serbs had trailed 2-1 overnight going into the final day of the World Group clash in Moscow and Djokovic, who had missed Friday's singles because of flu, battled into a two-set lead over Nikolay Davydenko.
He was 6-4, 6-3, 3-0 ahead after two and a half hours on court, but once the Russian had clawed back to win the third set 6-4, the Serbian retired complaining of dizziness and nausea.
"I decided to stop as I didn't want to risk my health," said Djokovic.
"I wanted to fight. I tried to play but in the end I was aware of the fact that I was very dizzy and had no energy.
"I just didn't want to continue because of the risk." Davydenko's win assured Russia a place in the quarter-finals in April where they will face the Czech Republic who completed a 3-2 win over Belgium in Ostrava.
Defending champions the United States said they plan a noisy reception in the heart of the nation's south for their quarter-final against France.
Last spring, the Americans rode the support of fans in tennis-starved North Carolina to a sweep of Spain. Captain Patrick McEnroe and his men are hoping for more of the same against the next set of European visitors.
"France has a great team and great young players, obviously Jo-Wilfried Tsonga with a great Australian Open," said McEnroe whose side beat Austria in Vienna in their first round tie.
"Not only do they have a great team, but great individual players and a lot of flair in their team. Playing in Winston Salem (in 2007) was an incredible environment. "We're hoping for the same kind of scene there this year. It was one of the best crowds we've ever had in the US."
The United States eventually ran out comfortable 4-1 winners over Austria.
With Sunday's dead reverse singles reduced to the best of three sets, the Austrians earned an early consolation point when Mike Bryan retired with cramping when he was down 7-5, 1-0 to Stefan Koubek. Mike's twin Bob then defeated Werner Eschauer 6-0, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3).
In Ramat Hasharon, Sweden, the seven-time winners, came from 2-1 down overnight to beat Israel 3-2 with Thomas Johansson seeing off Dudi Sela 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 7-5 and veteran Jonas Bjorkman defeating Harel Levy 0-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6).
The Swedes will have to travel to Buenos Aires for a quarter-final against Argentina who comfortably disposed of Britain by taking a 3-0 lead after Saturday's doubles.
The other last eight clash will see Germany, who won three Davis Cups between 1988 and 1993, welcome Spain. Philipp Kohlschreiber defeated South Korea's Lee Hyung-Taik 6-0, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/1) to make sure of victory. "I am really pleased with the way things have gone," said Kohlschreiber after his two hour and 47 minute win over Lee. Spain, despite missing world number two Rafael Nadal, opened up an unassailable 3-0 lead over Peru on Saturday in Lima when Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco beat Luis Horna and Ivan Miranda 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).