Dec 1 2008 1:45PM
WORLD number one Rafael Nadal may not have been present in body but Spain plugged into his never-say-die spirit to win the Davis Cup tennis final in Mar del Plata on Sunday, according to defeated Argentine skipper Alberto Mancini.
Nadal, champion with Spain in 2004 on home clay, sat this one out with a knee injury, but Mancini said that stroke of ill-fortune only spurred on his (Nadal’s) compatriots, who secured a 3-1 win when Fernando Verdasco beat Jose Acasuso in five sets.
“The Spanish were worthy opponents and played very well. The absence of Nadal only united them all the more,” insisted Mancini. “We have a lot to learn from this experience.”
Nadal saluted his compatriots, telling Spanish television: “It’s an unforgettable moment and they have made history. Fernando was brilliant – absolutely amazing from the fourth set.”
Verdasco repaid the compliment.
“It’s thanks to him we were in the final,” the left-hander said.
The Spanish ‘armada’ showed their strength in depth with Verdasco and fellow-hero Feliciano Lopez, outlasting their opponents.
Nadal, champion with Spain in 2004 on home clay, sat this one out with a knee injury, but Mancini said that stroke of ill-fortune only spurred on his (Nadal’s) compatriots, who secured a 3-1 win when Fernando Verdasco beat Jose Acasuso in five sets.
“The Spanish were worthy opponents and played very well. The absence of Nadal only united them all the more,” insisted Mancini. “We have a lot to learn from this experience.”
Nadal saluted his compatriots, telling Spanish television: “It’s an unforgettable moment and they have made history. Fernando was brilliant – absolutely amazing from the fourth set.”
Verdasco repaid the compliment.
“It’s thanks to him we were in the final,” the left-hander said.
The Spanish ‘armada’ showed their strength in depth with Verdasco and fellow-hero Feliciano Lopez, outlasting their opponents.
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