He’s one of the most improved players on the ATP Tour… And, now tennis star David Ferrer has secured defending champion Spain a place in the Davis Cup semifinals.

The 30-year-old Spanish tenista beat Austria‘s Jurgen Melzer 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 in Sunday’s reverse singles to give his team an insuperable 3-1 lead.

Despite his unsteady serve and gusting winds, Ferrer—the fifth-ranked player in the world—had little trouble remaining perfect in 14 matches on home clay en route to recording Spain’s first win over Austria in 33 years.

Ferrer broke Melzer in the last game of an even first set and didn’t let up to claim Spain’s 23rd straight home win, moving it into second place all-time for consecutive wins behind Italy’s record of 28.

Meantime, Spain’s Nicolas Almagro beat Alexander Peya to complete a 4-1 victory for the Spanish.

The five-time Davis Cup champions will face the United States in the semifinals.