Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer won in contrasting styles to put Spain 2-0 up against Argentina in the Davis Cup final.
Spain now need just one point from final three rubbers
Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer won in contrasting styles to put Spain 2-0 up and within one point of winning the Davis Cup final against Argentina.
Nadal, who is unbeaten on clay in the team event, extended that record to 15 matches in comfortable fashion with a 6-1 6-1 6-2 demolition of Monaco in Seville.
But Ferrer endured a much tougher outing as he eventually got the better of Juan Martin Del Potro in an epic five-set clash that lasted four hours and 43 minutes - the Spaniard finally prevailing 6-2 6-7 (2-7) 3-6 6-4 6-3.
Nadal was always in control of his encounter and, although Monaco held his first service game, the Argentine was broken no fewer than seven times thereafter and was unable to muster a single break point in the entire match.
He made a slightly better fist of things in the third set but Nadal seemed to crush his spirit in the fifth game, after an incredible rally that had both players scrambling all over the court and brought even Spanish King Juan Carlos to his feet.
The point gave Nadal another break of serve and a seventh followed before the popular Spaniard served out for the match to love.
"It was a very very important victory for me and I played a really solid match," Nadal told Sky Sports HD4.
"It's 1-0 and I'm very happy to put the first point on the board for our country. I did everything to try to arrive here in good condition and I did that."
Ferrer edges classic
Ferrer also seemed on course for a regulation victory as he took a one-sided opening set in his clash with Del Potro.
But the Argentine burst into life as he came from a break down to take the second on a tie-break and then blew his opponent away in the third with some sensational power hitting.
The South American seemed to have all the momentum, but Ferrer's never-say-die attitude was to the fore again in a topsy-turvy fourth set as he hung in bravely to level the match.
That seemed to break Del Potro's resistence and the Argentine cut a tired figure in the decider as he quickly fell two breaks down at 5-1.
He managed to pull one back, but it merely delayed the inevitable as Ferrer sealed a classic triumph in his next service game, getting the job done with a clean forehand winner.
The delighted Spaniard told
Sky Sports afterwards: "It's maybe the best match of my career, I played unbelieveable. I am very happy because Martin played a very good match."
Needing just one further point from Saturday's doubles match and the two remaining singles clashes on Sunday, Spain are now red-hot favourites for the trophy, although captain Albert Costa is taking nothing for granted.
"It's still not over, we still need one more point and it's not going to be easy," Costa told
Sky Sports.
