Davis Cup LIVE: Retiring Rafael Nadal in action as Spain take on Netherlands
The hosts take on the Dutch squad in the quarter-finals as Nadal begins the final event of his professional career
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Your support makes all the difference.Rafael Nadal is hoping to extend his illustrious career by another few days as the retiring great looks to lead Spain past the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals.
The 22-time grand slam champion will bring the curtain down on his time in the sport at the end of the event in Malaga, and a strong Spanish squad will have high hopes of giving him a fitting farewell on home soil. Nadal faces Botic van de Zandschulp in the opening singles rubber of the quarer-final, while Carlos Alcaraz is also part of the hosts’ team.
Their opponents are a Dutch unit that also have a retiree in the ranks: Wesley Koolhof will similarly step away from tennis at the end of his nation’s participation in the Davis Cup. The winner of this tie will set up an encounter with either Germany or Canada on Friday, with the competition decider on Sunday.
Follow all of the latest from Nadal’s potential farewell in our live blog below:
Rafael Nadal 3-3 Botic van de Zandschulp*
Botic van de Zandschulp very nearly makes it three games without a point on return, though tugs a forehand wide a 40-0. No harm done - still on serve in Spain.
Rafael Nadal 3-2 Botic van de Zandschulp*
Rafael Nadal gives it the big’un as he rips a forehand up the line with fluency and force. Some more serve-and-volley antics continue an intriguing tactical gambit, but they are effective again - four straight points for Spain and we remain without a break.
Rafael Nadal* 2-2 Botic van de Zandschulp
For the second service game in a row, Botic van de Zandschulp wins the first three points - and there is no throwing away of a position of strength here, Nadal pushed back by a boomer and a hold to love secured.
Rafael Nadal 2-1 Botic van de Zandschulp*
Van de Zandschulp looks more comfortable in his return game, able to work his way into the rallies. Frustratingly, though, a driven backhand runs long for him, with a beaten Nadal able to watch it beyond the baseline.
The Spaniard serves and volleys for a second time in the match and once more his opponent can’t beat him after a soft initial shot at the net. On serve we remain.
Rafael Nadal* 1-1 Botic van de Zandschulp
A frisson of excitement gives way to frustration as the home fans clock that a trademark flourishing forehand has come down just wide, denying the home hero a point.
But is the occasion getting to Botic van de Zandschulp? After racing to 40-0, three woeful double faults allow Rafael Nadal back in to the game.
That’s good steel from the tall right hander, though, surviving a long rally to earn advantage and then completing his hold.
Rafael Nadal 1-0 Botic van de Zandschulp*
Rafael Nadal gets on the board immediately after, but another of those deep, powerful approaching forehands nudges the Dutchman back ahead.
Into an extended rally, with Nadal showing off his own attacking array, drawing a pat from beyond the baseline that fails to clear the net cord. 30-30. A passing shot also ends up meshed - 40-30.
And Rafa is up and running. An opening hold is secured with the help of a big serve up the centre as the structural integrity of the Malaga roof is tested for the first time by a mighty roar.
Rafael Nadal 0-0 (0-15) Botic van de Zandschulp
A confident start from Botic van de Zandschulp, pumping a forehand across court and then finishing neatly with a backhand volley to take the first point of the match.
Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp
Here we go then. Rafael Nadal will serve first in potentially his final match in professional tennis.
Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp
Plenty of tennis luminaries on site, as one would expect. Rafael Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya and Carlos Alcaraz each watch on with a little nervous energy, the past, present and future of Spanish tennis blending together.
Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp
A mighty roar from a pretty much capacity crowd as the two players warm up. Rafael Nadal is 2-0 against his Dutch opponent, but Botic van de Zandschulp has enjoyed a strong year - that stunning win over Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open was a particular highlight, of course.
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