Rafa books Spain's place in Davis Cup final after sinking US
Rafael Nadal made a name for himself by beating Andy Roddick as an 18-year-old in the Davis Cup in 2004.
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Sunday, 21, Sep 2008 04:22
Rafael Nadal has guided Spain into the Davis Cup final after taking an unassailable 3-1 lead over reigning champions USA in Madrid.
The world number one crushed Andy Roddick 6-4 6-0 6-4 in two hours and 12 minutes to put his country in their sixth Davis Cup final.
Spain will now play either Argentina or Russia in the final which starts on November 21st.
The start of play was delayed by nearly two hours due to rain and Nadal looked to make up for lost time on his favourite surface.
Nadal, who has won 122 of his last 125 matches on clay, broke in game seven on his way to taking the opening set.
The French and Wimbledon champion cranked up the tempo in the second set and broke Roddick three times to go 2-0 up.
Roddick had three break points in Nadal's first service game of the third set but the Spaniard reeled off five successive points to survive. And the 22-year-old piled on the misery for the American by breaking him in the next game.
Despite failing to take five match points in game nine, Nadal clinched victory on his own serve with a stunning cross-court backhand.
Roddick also lost to David Ferrer in the opening rubber on Friday while Nadal beat Sam Querrey, before the Americans put themselves back into the tie with victory in yesterday's doubles.