Tennis:Rafael Nadal ensured Spain victory in the Davis Cup final after bouncing back from a one-sided first set against Juan Martin del Potro to win a four-set classic in Seville. Nadal was a 1-6 6-4 6-1 7-6 (7/0) winner in the penultimate rubber, sealing the title for his country for a fifth time after taking a 3-1 lead with one singles clash to play.
Del Potro was irresistible in the opening exchanges, producing a series of powerful winners to take six consecutive games against a flat Nadal. He was broken again in the first game of the second set but quickly found his best form, levelling matters and then coasting into the lead in the third set.
The fourth proved a thriller in every respect, with both men serving for the set only to be broken as the momentum ebbed and flowed throughout before Nadal dominated the tie-breaker.
"We gave everything, it was a very emotional victory at the end of a tough year," Nadal said afterwards. "Winning in this way, we are very grateful to all the people of Spain. It was the best atmosphere I have experienced in my career."