Spain triumph in Davis Cup
Sunday, 23 Nov 2008 21:34
David Nalbandian and Agustin Calleri lost a vital doubles match yesterday to trail Spain
Spain have won the Davis Cup after beating Argentina in Mar del Plata.
Ferdando Verdasco overcame Jose Acasuso 6-3 6-7 (3/7) 4-6 6-2 6-1 in a five-set epic to give the visitors an unassailable 3-1 lead.
Despite the absence of the injured Rafael Nadal, Spain clinch their third Davis Cup title.
Feliciano Lopez was ready to take on David Nalbandian in the fifth rubber but it was not required after Verdasco's heroics.
The world number 16 made a bright start in the fourth rubber and broke to love for a 4-2 lead on his way to serving out the set.
Acasuso, who replaced the injured Juan Martin del Potro, hit back with an early break in the second set to lead 2-0. But Verdasco broke back to force a tie-break but made a host of unforced errors to allow the 26-year-old to level.
Acasuso, ranked 32 places lower than his opponent, seized the initiative in the third set with a break in game nine to lead 5-4 before serving out the set.
But Verdasco forced a decider by breaking in game six for a 4-2 lead, and repeated the trick in the fifth set to clinch victory.
The 25-year-old dedicated the triumph to Nadal, who missed the final with a knee injury.
"I have to remember Rafael Nadal because we played the Davis Cup final thanks to him," Verdasco said.
"This is one of the happiest days in my life. I am so happy for playing the final."