Spain sweep fourth Davis Cup title
By DPA, IANSSunday, December 6, 2009
BARCELONA - Superlative Spain lifted its fourth Davis Cup final in a decade with a 3-0 sweep of the Czech Republic.
The Iberian tennis powerhouse bracketed the start of the first decade of the millennium with crowns in the worldwide team competition, beginning with the 2000 title over Australia and ending it with the doubles against the Czechs Saturday at the venue where it began nine years ago, the 16,000 capacity Palau Sant Jordi.
Trophy success also included a title in 2004 over the US in Seville and against Argentina a year ago in South America.
Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez sealed it all up through their doubles defeat of Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych 7-6 (9), 7-5, 6-2 Saturday. It took nearly three hours for the Spaniards to close in on the trophy.
Spain is the first nation since Sweden in 1998 to defend the worldwide team competition.
“Our guys played unbelievable,” said captain Alberto Costa, himself a member of the 2000 championship side at the venue.
“This is completely different than winning Roland Garros,” added the 2002 French Open champion who retired in 2006 and took over the captain’s seat only this season.
“At Paris you have to run all the time. Here, there are a lot of decisions to be made.”
“I had the chance in this stadium to win as a player and as a captain. This is a beautiful moment for me,” said Costa.
Verdasco accepted his singles substitution in a tactical move by Costa on Friday’s opening day, with David Ferrer earning a fighting win lasting for more than four hours to back up the straight-sets start from Rafael Nadal.
Spain have now won their last 18 home ties and their last 20 on clay.
The Czechs remain with one Davis Cup crown dating back nearly three decades to 1980 over Italy.
Verdasco, ninth in the world in singles but bothered by niggling injuries for the last few months, paired smoothly with Lopez as the hosts claimed the opening set in the doubles after 70 minutes and four set points.
The Spaniards quickly took the second set and began the third by breaking the Czech pair in the opening game. A double break did the job in front of VIPs including the king of Spain and former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch.
“This is a win for everyone,” said Verdasco. “If Rafa and David had not won their two points on Friday, we would not be able to do this.
“The important thing is: we won the Davis Cup again. And we’re so happy to do it in Spain.”
Verdasco called the 2009 “my best year so far.”
“I ended last year by winning the Davis Cup and I’ve done it this year as well. I hope to do it again and I hope I can play even better,” he said.
Lopez, overwhelmed by the win, fell short of describing the feeling.
“When we were close to winning, we could really feel the crowd. They screamed with unbelievable support. I cannot say anything else.”
Spain face Switzerland in the 2010 first round in just two short months, with Roger Federer possibly there in the side. The tie will also be played in Spain in February.
