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World number two Rafa Nadal beats Juan Martin del Potro to win Spain the Davis Cup
Nadal fights back from dropping the opening set to secure the point Spain needed
Spain's victory over Argentina ensured they won the Davis Cup trophy for a fifth time
Spain have won the Davis Cup for a fifth time, and the third time in four years, after Rafael Nadal recovered from dropping the opening set to defeat Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro in Sunday’s penultimate singles rubber in Sevilla.
The hosts won Friday’s first two singles matches, but Argentina claimed Saturday’s doubles to give them a foothold in the final going into the final two matches,
And del Potro started like a man on a mission, crushing the world number two 6-1 in an impressive opening set.
Resurgent Federer hungry for more major titles
But in the same stadium where Nadal became the youngest Davis Cup winner in 2004, the world number two fought back in impressive fashion to secure a 1-6 6-4 6-1 7-6 (7-0) triumph to spark scenes of wild celebration.
Nadal told reporters: “It was a very emotional match and I am happy for the team.
“It was the most amazing atmosphere I have ever played in. The crowd were crazy. and everything was perfect for us,” he continued.
“It was complicated at the start of the match, but the beginning of the second set was very important and at 1-0 and 40-0 that was the turning point for me.”
Spanish captain Albert Costa added: “It was an unbelievable match. These guys are great and that’s why we were in the final.
“Rafa tried to play deeper and harder because at the start Del Potro was inside the line and hitting so hard. He fought hard so that’s why we won.”
The result handed Argentina an unwanted record fourth Davis Cup final defeat, but Spain’s fifth victory still leaves them trailing the United States (32) and Australia (28) in overall successes.
