Davis Cup - Spain seal Davis Cup triumph
Eurosport - Mon, 24 Nov 17:04:00 2008
Spain overcame the absence of world number one Rafael Nadal to win the Davis Cup for the third time when Fernando Verdasco beat Jose Acasuso to give them a 3-1 win over Argentina in the final.
Verdasco, brought in to replace Spain's off-form number one David Ferrer, won 6-3 6-7 4-6 6-3 6-1 to hand Argentina their third defeat in three final appearances and their first home loss for 10 years.
Verdasco had himself been overlooked for Friday's opening singles but earned himself a chance by winning Saturday's doubles alongside Feliciano Lopez.
Acasuso, ranked 48th, was thrown into the fray after Argentina's number one Juan Martin del Potro was ruled out with a pulled muscle in his right leg which he suffered in Friday's defeat to Lopez.
"It's a dream. I've wanted this chance since I was a boy, few get it and even fewer take it," said an elated Verdasco.
Argentina, whose unbeaten home run stretched back 13 matches, had begun as firm favourites but their chances nose-dived when Del Potro was surprisingly beaten by Lopez on Friday and injured his leg in the process.
A win in Saturday's doubles then put the visitors in the driving seat and the news that Del Potro would not play on Sunday was another blow.
The ITF said the dead fifth rubber would not be played.
Acasuso started nervously and lost his serve in the fifth game after three unforced errors in quick succession.
The Argentine had his first break point in the ninth game but Verdasco saved it and took the set when Acasuso overhit two shots in a row.
Acasuso made a confident start to the second set and broke serve in the second game, helped by two double faults from his opponent.
After three breaks of serve in a row between the seventh and ninth games, the set went to a tiebreak but Acasuso always had his nose in front and levelled the match when Verdasco ended a long rally by sending a backhand into the net.
Acasuso was by now playing some excellent tennis, producing a brilliant drive from the back of the court from a Verdasco smash and an inspired crosscourt shot as he broke twice in a row at the start of the third set.
Verdasco replied with a break of his own in between and levelled the set in the eighth game when Acasuso sent an easy volley into the net and followed it with a smash.
But the Argentine broke back in the ninth game and wrapped up the set when Verdasco, having saved two set points, hit the ball out after a long rally.
At this point, it looked as if Acasuso could take the tie to a decisive rubber involving Nalbandian which would have left the hosts as favourites.
Instead, Acasuso went to pieces after Verdasco broke in the sixth game of the fourth set to level the match.
With his opponent looking tired and demoralised, Verdasco strolled through the final set, wrapping up the match with a rasping forehand down the line.
"In the Davis Cup, you have to fight to the death and you always have to keep your hope of winning. This mental strength helped me win the match," Verdasco said.
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Comment 8 - 27 of 27
Bravo Espana! I was quite expecting that they will win the cup. And so it was. Anyway... Nadal is still my favourite and without him maybe they wouldn't won! ESPANA es la mejor!
Bravo Espana!!!. I'm an old man. Born in Spain, left when I was 7 years old. Lived in Mexico for 30 yrs. and then moved to USA and lived here for another 30. Never been back to Spain, but the RED HOT spanish blood still flows through my veins. I follow all spanish sports and almost get tears in my eyes when one or more of my country men excell. Can't help it...once a spaniard ALWAYS a spaniard.....
Yees!! Bravo..Verdasco was incredible and Lopez too..but I think this victory can aslo be Rafa's..in semi-final he played very good..Congratulation for Spain from Slovenia. En Eslovenia estamos muy feliz para vos y mucha suerte proximo año!
The toughest game was won by Feliciano on saturday, we all expected them to win the doubles but I for one didn`t expect Feli to beat Del Potro. Great game, and they really deserved it, I know how much of a blow it was when Rafa announced that he couldn`t play. Albina, Rafa is the best, like it or not!
Congaratulation Spain
Congrats to Novak Djokovic he won the masters tournament ----- against the no names davydenko, simon , delpotro hahahaha....you are the best Nole the best among losers bwahahahaha.....
from Brazil,my congratulations to the Team of Spain, 3-time Davis Cup Champion. It´s a good reason to stand up Madrid's bid for 2016 Olympics!
Avante, Furia! Olé!
Bravo Spain!!!!!!!!! :D
Yessss!!!!! Bravo bravissimo Spain!!!! Many congratulations!!! Enhorabuena!!!
Once more Spain has shown Class Quality and real Determination when it really counts.
This shows Spain has players in greater numbers to play and conquer elsewhere no matter what surface. Against an all hostile disrespectful crowd Spain rose and grew stronger. God bless you Spain you are the best so far today.
Argentina is a disappointment...... what d heck was wrong with del potro? Argentina is a big disgrace... in front of your home fans? that's a big loss.... better got take some advice from Tsonga who won in front of his home crowd in Paris......... Come back next year and try harder Mancini!
un ano para no olvidar(si, tu riete...)Que monstruos
We are the champions ... no time for losers for we are the champions ... of the world ...
There are 5 or 6 countries that has most of the 100 top players of the world:
Spain/Argentina/Russia/France/USA
the rest have it very difficult to win the Davis. Next year I think that it will be the year of France (they have 14 players ranked between the top 100 players). Spain won the davis this year because all thru the year were choosing the players who were in better form. They have played with 6 or 7 different players in the eliminatories. Spain has also got 14 players ranked between the top 100 players. Spain tennis is not only Nadal, who, on the other hand is exceptional sportsman.
Nadal is simply the best.
Congratulations to Spain. Well done the team, but we should remember that Nadal helped them to get to the final. He himself said that they could win it without him.
congratilations SPAİN!!!
Who said Nadal is everything??? Well done boys you made it and you have shut mouth those who think Nadal is God of Tennis!!!! Come on Lopes, Vedasco and the rest!!!!
YIPPY SPAIN GOT THE CUP I SAID THEY WOULD FROM THE START THEY WON WITHOUT RAFA. THEY HAVE WON THE CUP 3 TIMES IN OLYMPIC YEARS NOW 200 2004 2008 SO WELL DONE TO THE TEAM.
WELL DONE TO CAPTAIN SANCHEZ YOU DESERVE THE WIN.
ALISON.
Bad luck Argentina, get well soon to del Potro
Congratulations to Spain from United Arab Emirates. Without Nadal Spain has demonstrated the high level of its tennis. Great players.
That was unbelievable, without Nadal Spain still got it. It's unlucky for Argentina when Del Potro was injured. Congratulation Verdasco and Lopez and Spain!
poet Nguyen Do, San Francisco, USA
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