Spain to face Argentina in Davis Cup Final
Argentina will host Spain in the 2008 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Final after both nations won their semifinals at home this weekend. Spain overcame defending champions USA 4-1 in Madrid, and Argentina defeated Russia 3-2 in a deciding fifth rubber in Buenos Aires. The Final will be played on 21-23 November, with the venue set to be confirmed on 29 September.
World No. 1 Rafael Nadal starred for Spain in its victory over USA at the Plaza de Toros Las Ventas in Madrid. He scored a four-set victory over debutant Sam Querrey in the opening rubber, before overwhelming Andy Roddick 64 60 64 to give the hosts a 3-1 winning lead. Roddick had lost a five-set marathon to David Ferrer on day one, before the scratch pairing of Mike Bryan and Mardy Fish kept the tie alive with a five-set win over Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco.
“Today I play an almost perfect match and it is very, very exciting,” said Nadal after the win. “Today I played very well. I shocked myself with some of the winners I played, was near perfect tennis.”
“It’s a dream for sure,” said Del Potro. “Last night I couldn’t sleep and now I’m living the dream for sure. On Friday I won my first match here in Buenos Aires, now I’ve won my second and we’re in the Final. I want to treasure this moment because I don’t know if it will happen again.”
In the World Group Play-offs, world No. 2 Roger Federer and No. 3 Novak Djokovic both helped their countries qualify for the 2009 World Group. Federer contributed a singles and a doubles win in Switzerland’s 4-1 victory over Belgium in Lausanne, while Djokovic won the opening rubber in Serbia’s 4-1 triumph over Slovak Republic in Bratislava. However there was disappointment for world No. 4 Andy Murray, whose two singles victories were unable to prevent Great Britain losing 3-2 to Austria at Wimbledon.
In other Play-off ties, Chile defeated Australia 3-2 in Antofagasta; Croatia overcame Brazil 4-1 in Zadar; Israel beat Peru 4-1 in Ramat Hasharon; Netherlands saw off Korea 3-2 in Appeldoorn; and Romania eased past India 4-1 in Bucharest.
