Hero Nadal leads Spain to fifth Davis Cup trophy

Dec 4, 2011, 17:03 GMT

Seville, Spain - Rafael Nadal sent Spain to a fifth Davis Cup title since 2000 as he beat Juan Del Potro 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (7-0) to give the hosts a 3-1 win over Argentina on Sunday.

Nadal, Spain's longtime tennis hero, had never claimed the winning point for his nation while playing on three Davis-winning teams, but remedied that with his fighting reverse singles victory in just over four hours.

The world number two came through a titanic fourth set with major momentum shifts, finally putting his personal stamp on the clay-court weekend with the victory to end his 2011 season in fine style.

'This was the perfect way to finish the season,' said the Spaniard who fell to his back on the clay of the Olympic stadium after clinching victory, 'I'm really happy for everything.

'This was an unbelievable victory for us, this is such a special competition.

'It was one of the most special days of my career. We gave everything, it was a very emotional victory at the end of a tough year.

'Winning in this way, we are very grateful to all the people of Spain. It was the best atmosphere I have experienced in my career.'

More than 20,000 mainly Spanish fans erupted in wild celebrations in the stands as Nadal recovered from a set down at the start to impose his game on Del Potro.

Spain have now won the Cup for three of the last four editions; the nation also claimed victory in 2000 and 2004. Argentina has now lost all four finals it has played.

Nadal lost seven of the first eight games of the afternoon, dropping the first set in 62 minutes, a slow pace of nearly nine minutes per game against Del Potro, who had not played for a month after healing a slight shoulder injury.

But momentum began to shift in the Spaniard's direction after he broke Del Potro back in the second game of the second set, a moment he called critical.

'That second game was very important, I had the chance to start coming back, after that, the match was more equal.'

Nadal moved to a two-sets-to-one lead but still faced huge hurdles in claiming the win.

He got out to a break in the first game of the fourth set, lost it in the fourth but broke back against a frustrated Del Potro. But the joy lasted for only moments, with the Argentine breaking back for 3-all and taking a 4-3 lead to love.

Nadal lost serve for a second time, trailing 3-5, but never gave up as he broke in the next game to deny Del Potro as the Argentine stood within two points of a deciding fifth set.

Nadal served to love for 5-5 but was felled by nerves as he was again broken in the momentum-shifter to bring on a tiebreaker.

Nadal rallied for a final time, sweeping through the decider with merciless efficiency to claim the tie.

'It was a very exciting day in a difficult year,' said Nadal, who won a sixth French Open title but just two other ATP trophies. 'It feels very special.'

Spanish captain Albert Costa called the result 'a great win for Rafa.

'Del Potro was hitting hard but Rafa fought all the time. That's why he won.

'This victory was different than in 2009 (a 5-0 over the Czech Republic). That outcome was almost know, this one was much closer.

'At the start Del Potro played so well, but Rafa is Rafa, he's a winner, he won the tie for us.

'When he was down I told him to stay on the court and believe in the victory. I told him to play a bit deeper, but it was tough for him in the beginning.

'He played a very good match, it's not easy to win the Davis Cup.

'We've had a spectacular Spanish tennis season but we must appreciate it as it is not forever. '

Spain hold the record for the longest run of wins at home in Davis Cup World Group history, now having won their last 21. They were last defeated in Spain in 1999 against Brazil.

They have also now won their last 23 ties on clay.