The Czech Republic beat holders Spain 3-2 to win the Davis Cup when Radek Stepanek overcame Nicolas Almagro 6-4 7-6 3-6 6-3 in front of a raucous home crowd in the final rubber yesterday.

Stepanek, who jumped the net and waved his arms in triumph to the 14,580 packed into the arena, was hugged by team-mates before going to his wife with tears rolling down his cheeks.

The result meant the Czech Republic had claimed the Davis Cup for the first time as an independent nation. It also made the Czech Republic the first country to win the Davis Cup and Fed Cup team trophies for men and women respectively and the mixed Hopman Cup event in one year.

Spain’s David Ferrer cruised to a 6-2 6-3 7-5 win over Tomas Berdych to level the final at 2-2.