MADRID, November 24, 2019
Spain has reached the final of the Davis Cup for the first time since 2012 when they finished runners-up to the Czech Republic at the O2-Arena in Prague. In front of a 12,500 capacity crowd inside the Caja Magica on Saturday evening, the hosts defeated Great Britain 2-1.
Rafael Nadal and Feliciano Lopez won the decisive doubles rubber 7-6(3), 7-6(8) against Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski in a two-hour thriller.
The moment Spain won their way into their first Davis Cup final since 2012…@RafaelNadal | @feliciano_lopez #GBRESP #DavisCupMadridFinals #byRakuten pic.twitter.com/Lp4QQfHvRW
— Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals (@DavisCupFinals) November 24, 2019
Earlier in the tie, a nerveless Kyle Edmund won the opening rubber 6-3, 7-6(3) over veteran Lopez, who replaced an injured Pablo Carreno Busta only moments before the start of the match. The 24-year-old Briton, who defeated both Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin and Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets this week, showed another remarkable performance. Edmund saved two set points in the 10th game of the second set and secured victory in one hour and 21 minutes.
“When you start the match in this situation it’s a lot of noise, a full house tonight. They have come here to support Feli so I had to be focused and concentrate on myself,” Edmund told Eurosport right after his win.
“My tennis hasn’t been a problem but difficult situations can do funny things. I kept believing in my game and going after my strokes. I played a very good breaker at the end, it was a very good performance from myself.”
Nadal makes the difference again
Then it was up to Nadal, who defeated Dan Evans 6-4, 6-0 in one hour and 24 minutes. “Had been a tough first set, he played great, changing a lot the rhythm, playing very aggressive, then I played I think a great game on the return at 5-4 and after that I think I started to play with more freedom on the shots, less pressure, the ball started to go to the right spots, so I’m super happy for the victory,” said Nadal after recording his 28th consecutive Davis Cup singles victory.
After a short break, the World No. 1 was back on court teaming up with Lopez to eventually secure the win of the tie with at half past midnight in Madrid.
“This competition is dramatic, with this format even more. It was a close match with no breaks,” Nadal said.
“A very special moment, a unique opportunity and we are very pleased we somehow managed to play all those points in a good way,” Lopez added.
“Rafa hit an unbelievable lob when we were down in the break 6-4. We are really happy and have a great opportunity to hold this trophy tomorrow.” Five-time Davis Cup champions Spain will take on Canada for the title on Sunday at 4:30 pm local time.
The final is set.
🇨🇦🆚🇪🇸#CANESP #DavisCupMadridFinals #byRakuten pic.twitter.com/yHCYxwKtU7
— Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals (@DavisCupFinals) November 23, 2019
