“Change of nomination for the singles rubbers in New Delhi as Feliciano Lopez replaces Rafa Nadal”, Davis Cup’s official Twitter account said. For in the first match of the tie, Feliciano Lopez had beaten Ramkumar Ramanathan 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-1. Nadal combined with Marc Lopez in the doubles to overhaul Leander Paes and Saketh Myneni in four sets and complete a 3-0 victory in New Delhi on Saturday, ending Spain’s exile after an acrimonious period.
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“We knew during the week that there might be a possibility that I’m going to play instead of Rafa, who was not sure if he was going to be ready for Friday”, said Feliciano.
Now world number four Nadal has been pivotal in Spain’s four (2004, 2008, 2009 2011) of the five Davis Cup title wins and Ferrer too has played a significant role in three of those title triumphs (2008, 2009, 2011).
Rumours started floating around of a case of “Delhi Belly” for the 14-time Grand Slam champion or even a case a dehydration in the extremely humid weather here.
Spain wrested the advantage in the early stages of the third set, breaking Paes’ serve in the third game to take a 2-1 lead. It isn’t easy – which may be the whole point of playing Ferrer – but at least for us watching India fans, it’s sweeter for being that way. The old warhorse was playing in his 54th Davis Cup tie and was just one win shy of becoming the most successful doubles player in the history of the competition. Paes served out the next game 4-4 to tie the first set. Ferrer came out all guns blazing in the second match of the day to take the first set in just 21 minutes and unsettle India’s Myneni, who is ranked 137th.
Ramkumar, egged on by the capacity crowd, gave his all but it was not enough to worry his mighty opponent, who is a reigning French Open doubles champion along with compatriot Marc Lopez. “The doubles was a tough match and anything could have happened”, he said. In the other semifinal, Great Britain drew level with Argentina at 2-2 after Andy Murray dispatched Guido Pella 6-3 6-2 6-3. “So he might play one of these days”, he added. “I played a consistent game”.
However, sensing that the Indian lad was hurting, Lopez came storming back with successive breaks and clinched the tie.
The first tie between the two nations was on a neutral venue i.e in Great Britain, where Spain beat India in the World Group Quarterfinal 4-1.
About his goals, he said: “I want to try to qualify for the world tour finals and that is the goal for me”. “Feli (Feliciano Lopez) was in ideal condition to go to court so he played”, said Nadal.
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The second rubber turned out to be a completely one-sided affair with the World No. 13 Ferrer outclassing India’s No. 1 singles player Myneni, 6-1, 6-2, 6-1.
