NEW DELHI, September 17, 2016

Spain has reclaimed its place in the World Group of the Davis Cup following a victory in the doubles against India on Saturday.

Rio 2016 gold medallists Marc López and Rafael Nadal proved too good for the Indian duo of Saketh Myneni and Leander Paes, winning 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 in three hours and 23 minutes to secure their country’s place back in the World Group.

“For us it was a very important confrontation after two years being away from the World Group. It’s important for us to come back to where we think we have to be. But the India team is a great team and I want to say many thanks to all the fans here in India. For me it is a very special country and it is a place that is very close to my heart,” Nadal told afterwards.

Spain had spent the last two years in Europe/Africa Zone Group I but now they represent a real threat as an unseeded nation in the 2017 draw.

On Friday, Feliciano López openened the tie with a 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 win over Ramkumar Ramanathan. The world number 23 fired nine aces to give Spain a 1-0 lead after two hours and 25 minutes.

In the following, David Ferrer eased past Seketh Myneni, winning 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 in one hour and 28 minutes.

“It is never easy playing away from home in different conditions but we won the tie and we are happy to be back in the World Group next year,” Spain’s team captain Conchita Martinez told. “This is what we wanted and we achieved it with a great team coming here to India.”

#INDESP @conchitamartinz: “Logramos lo que veníamos luchando desde hace dos años” pic.twitter.com/XcSGmBFVit

— Copa Davis (@CopaDavis) 17. September 2016