 Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 23 Nov 2008 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 23 Nov 2008 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 23 Nov 2008 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 23 Nov 2008 |  Photographer: None / Not Applicable
Date: 23 Nov 2008 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 23 Nov 2008 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 23 Nov 2008 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 23 Nov 2008 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 23 Nov 2008 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 23 Nov 2008 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 23 Nov 2008 |
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| 23 Nov 2008 - Estadio Islas Malvinas, Mar del Plata - Emily Forder-White | |
| Spain crushes Argentine hopes to win Davis Cup |
Spain has caused the biggest upset on Argentine soil and won the 2008 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, after Fernando Verdasco pulled through a five-set thriller of a fourth rubber against Jose Acasuso to hand the visitors their third Davis Cup title and first on away soil.
It was a fitting end to the 2008 season for the Spaniards, who have not only been the leading nation all year on the tennis tour, but proved this weekend that even without Rafael Nadal, they are a winning combination.
Verdasco ended Argentina’s 13 home tie unbeaten record in Davis Cup, defeating Acasuso 63 67(3) 46 63 61 in the first of the reverse singles on Sunday, having been substituted in for Spain’s No. 1 player David Ferrer that morning to play his first ever live decisive rubber.
“This is the most beautiful day of my life,” said Verdasco, after he emerged from the surge of red bodies that had piled onto the court to embrace their hero. “This is the most important match and win of my life. I will always remember this. It’s like winning a Grand Slam.”
With Spain leading Argentina 2-1 overnight, predictions were flying around all over the place as to who the captains would choose to keep their nation’s hopes alive in this enthralling Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Final. But when the changed line-up for Sunday’s opening singles match was confirmed over the airwaves at 11:00hrs, indications as to who would leave Mar del Plata as 2008 Davis Cup champions weren’t any the clearer. This was always going to be a tight match.
“When Ferrer found out he was not playing, he took it well," said victorious captain Emilio Sanchez. "He immediately offered his support to Fernando which helped him come out on court."
It was only until three and a half hours into this momentum-swinging and error-strewn match that Spain’s hold on the Davis Cup became first apparent. In the fifth set, Verdasco broke in the opening game and raced to a 5-1 lead and from then on, there was no coming back for Acasuso who simply flagged under the deficit.
“I was more relaxed after the fourth set," said Verdasco. "I understood we needed tactics to win the match and I realised that he was tired so I took advantage of making him run.”
The Argentine, in devastated tears after the match, unfortunately becomes the first man to lose two decisive fifth rubbers in a Davis Cup final, having also succumbed to Marat Safin in five sets in 2006. He had the mental tenacity during this match, and had saved a match point at 1-5 30-40 down, but he simply ran out of gas and at one point after losing the fourth set, had the trainer out on court to fix an abdominal strain.
“There was a lot of sadness in the locker room after the loss," said Acasuso after the match, "and the fact that three of the four of us lost to Russia two years ago means that the pain was double.”
It’s a devastating blow for the Argentines who came into this final as the firm favourites following the withdrawal of the injured Nadal. What the defeat has left is an unbeaten record in tatters and a shell-shocked team who will need a long time to reform and recuperate as a unit, ready to start all over again in the first round ties in March. But this time it will be without Alberto Mancini, who announced he will now step down as Argentine captain.
Sanchez finished off the weekend's victory by thanking Nadal for his commitment during the year in helping his nation reach its sixth Davis Cup final, also adding that this was the sweetest victory of his career. ”A lot of people in Spain criticise me for not having a plan B, but I proved that I had a pretty good plan B. This is the biggest win for me, even as a player."
Spain will return to home soil to defend its title next year when it takes on Serbia in the first round of the 2009 competition. And what an encounter that will be.
Related Links on other websites
> Información en español - AAT
> Información en español - RFET
Related Links on Daviscup.com
> Tie Information
> Spain crushes Argentine dreams to win the Davis Cup
> Argentina in trouble after epic doubles loss
> Lopez pulls off del Potro upset
> Nalbandian dismisses Ferrer to seal opener
> Nalbandian v Ferrer kickstarts long-awaited final
> Countdown fever in Mar del Plata
> Argentina ready to bring the Cup home
> Final touches in Mar del Plata
Related Audio
 Interview with Alberto Mancini (ARG)
Interview with Emilio Sanchez (ESP)
Interview with Fernando Verdasco (ESP)
 
If you cannot hear the audio, then please update your media player by following one of the links above.
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