This happens every single year, but every year it leaves a bad taste in the mouth of tennis fans.

During the lengthy hiatus before the 2010 tennis season, I have turned my focus away from the tours and toward tennis’ relationship with popular culture. Sports and games have made major contributions to popular culture. Several great movies have used sports to tell stories.

Rafael Nadal helped Spain capture their fourth Davis Cup title of the decade.

Sean Randall breaks down this weekend’s Davis Cup finale between Spain and the Czech Republic.

Federer has historically let the Swiss squad flounder in World Group play, then swooped in to save them from falling out of the World Group Qualifying, as he did this month. Now with a strong No. 2 player in Stan Wawrinka, Federer could have the impetus to attempt to capture his first Davis Cup for Switzerland in 2010.

“It feels great to be in the semis but not satisfied because we’d like more,” Stepanek said. “We prepared as much as we could and we are looking forward to the tie. Playing Karlovic is always strange and tricky, you get no rhythm. You have few chances and you have to try and take them once they come because there are not many. There will not be much rallies so it’s important to focus all the time.”

Israel had clinched by Saturday after Harel Levy defeated Igor Andreev and Dudi Sela decimated Mikhail Youzhny in the singles, and the standout doubles tandem of Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram edged Igor Kunitsyn and former No. 1 Marat Safin in five in Safin’s final Davis Cup appearance.

Israel clinched the tie in the Saturday doubles when Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram stopped a comeback from former No. 1 Marat Safin and Igor Kunitsyn 6-3, 6-4, 6-7(3), 4-6, 6-4.

Cilic will take on Blake in the first reverse singles on Sunday, and Karlovic is scheduled to face Fish in the final singles, the U.S. needing to sweep the day to advance to the semifinals against either Argentina or the Czech Republic.

Can “Dr.” Ivo rain down the aces on clay? The nod goes to Croatia as Blake is 0-4 in live ties on clay and Fish has only one win in the same situation. Marin Cilic should dictate this tie, but the Bryan brothers will do their best to keep it a live tie by Sunday.