Verdasco the hero as Spain lift Davis Cup
Story Highlights
Spain win Davis Cup as Fernando Verdasco beats Jose Acasuso
Verdasco comes from two sets to one down to give Spain unassailable 3-1 lead
Acasuso came in as a replacement for the injured Juan Martin Del Potro
Spain claim the cup despite being without injured world number one Rafael Nadal
Spain win Davis Cup as Fernando Verdasco beats Jose Acasuso
Verdasco comes from two sets to one down to give Spain unassailable 3-1 lead
Acasuso came in as a replacement for the injured Juan Martin Del Potro
Spain claim the cup despite being without injured world number one Rafael Nadal
(CNN) -- Fernando Verdasco clinched the Davis Cup for Spain with a thrilling five-set victory over Argentina's Jose Acasuso in Mar Del Plata on Sunday.
Verdasco's 6-3 6-7 4-6 6-3 6-1 victory in the first reverse singles gave Spain an unassailable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five series.
Acasuso, a late replacement for the injured Juan Martin Del Petro, put up a brave fight and led two sets to one before Verdasco, himself coming in for David Ferrer, fought back.
He played a brave fourth set, breaking Acasuso to lead 4-2 and winning four of the last five games.
The Spaniard then dominated the deciding set, winning the first four games and cruising to victory.
After wrapping up his win in a shade under four hours, Verdasco dropped to the ground in celebration and was mobbed by his jubilant teammates "It's the most exciting victory of my life," Verdasco said. "Playing for my country, against the best players, it's a dream," he told Associated Press.
It completed a remarkable comeback for Spain, who went into the final without injured world number one Rafael Nadal and fell 1-0 behind when a below-par Ferrer was beaten by David Nalbandian in the opening singles.
Del Potro injured his right thigh in a four-set loss to Feliciano Lopez on Friday which drew Spain level.
He was not able to recover in time for Sunday's match despite undergoing intense treatment throughout the day on Saturday.
"We didn't want to risk starting the match and then, after two or three games, have to retire because of the injury," Del Potro said. "It would have been much worse if that happened."
Lopez and Verdasco had put Spain one victory away from winning the title when they beat Nalbandian and Agustin Calleri 5-7 7-5 7-6 6-3 in the crucial doubles clash on Saturday to put their team two rubbers to one ahead.
Spain, champions in 2000 and 2004 and runners-up on three other occasions, were winning the most prestigious team title in men's tennis for the third time.
The shock result was Argentina's first Davis Cup defeat on home soil for 10 years and a big disappointment for the home fans who gave vocal support to their team.
They continued to chant "Argentina, Argentina," even after Acasuso's loss, but it was the Spanish contingent who had reason to celebrate.
Nadal, who did not travel to the final, paid tribute to the team.
"Fernando was brilliant - absolutely amazing from the fourth set," he told Spanish television and went on to praise captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario.
"Emilio has formed a tremendous group with a fabulous atmosphere at its heart," he added.
posted by Prince and Gina Parker @ 8:01 AM,
