• Davis Cup

Ferrer and Nadal get Spain off to flying start

Rafael Nadal pummels a forehand © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Nadal beats Del Potro to clinch Davis Cup for Spain
  
• Profile: Rafael Nadal

David Ferrer ensured Spain took a firm grip of the Davis Cup final by edging Juan Martin del Potro in a five-set marathon, with Argentina facing a mountain to climb from 2-0 down after Rafael Nadal earlier shrugged off the challenge of Juan Monaco in straight sets.

In the opening rubber between Spain's highest ranked player and the Argentinean second string, the gulf in class between the pair was apparent as Nadal breezed to a 6-1 6-1 6-2 victory in Seville.

Nadal had raised concerns over his form at the end of a gruelling season, but the world No. 2 showed little signs of fatigue as he wrapped up an emphatic victory in two hours and 27 minutes.

Nadal burst out of the blocks and although Monaco saved three break points in the opening game, he was helpless to prevent Nadal powering through six straight games to race through the first set.

Monaco stopped the rot to hold serve in his opening service game in the second set, but it was more of the same as Nadal tightened his grip on the match, dictating much of the play from the baseline. Monaco held his own to take the third set to 2-2, but Nadal once again grabbed the crucial break to streak away to victory.

It was an inspired performance from a player who looked like he had nothing left when he bowed out of the ATP World Tour Finals in London last week.

Former US Open champion Del Potro looked to get Argentina back on level terms against world No. 5 Ferrer later on Friday but it was Ferrer who extended Spain's lead after securing a 6-2 6-7(2) 3-6 6-4 6-3 victory in four-and-three-quarter hours.

Ferrer was the far more consistent in the first set but he appeared to suffer a dip in the second, allowing Del Potro to take control of the contest. However, roared on by a boisterous home crowd, Ferrer weathered the storm and fought back to take the fourth set before clinching the decider.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.