Davis Cup LIVE: Rafael Nadal beaten in potential farewell as Spain take on Netherlands
The hosts fell behind in their quarter-final after Nadal was beaten in straight sets by Botic van de Zandschulp
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Your support makes all the difference.Rafael Nadal suffered defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp in potentially his final match as a professional as the Nertherlands went 1-0 up against Spain in their Davis Cup quarter-final.
Nadal will retire at the end of the hosts’ participation in the event and now faces an anxious wait to see if his illustrious career will be extended by another few days. There were glimpses of the 38-year-old’s remarkable talent in his 6-4, 6-4 defeat, but the Spaniard was unable to match Van de Zandschulp consistently enough to capitalise on a few serving woes from the Dutchman in front of a passionate crowd in Malaga.
It means that the 22-time grand slam champion is reliant upon Carlos Alcaraz beating Tallon Griekspoor in the second singles rubber to have hope of featuring again on court in a semi-final against Germany or Canada on Friday. Should Alcaraz win, he will team up with Marcel Granollers in a deciding doubles encounter with the impressive Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof, who is also playing the final competition of his career.
Re-live all of the action from Nadal’s potential farewell in our live blog below:
Rafael Nadal* 4-6, 3-5 Botic van de Zandschulp
Ooh - Botic van de Zandschulp is struggling for composure here. His latest double fault is followed by a terrible forehand that disturbs the fans in the second row beyond the baseline.
What an answer! A crunching ace up the centre.
It’s followed by another two points later to ease the pressure, and a third seals a hold. Rafael Nadal will serve to stay in the match...and maybe prolong his career.
Rafael Nadal 4-6, 3-4 Botic van de Zandschulp*
Adrenaline coursing through his veins, Nadal roars into the first couple of points of his service game, his celebrations expending energy that he then lacks in two double faults.
That forehand is long, too! Nadal hurries to a bouncing ball but catches it too soon, loosely whipping it a couple of yards too far.
Can Botic van de Zandschulp move to within a game of victory? No, a fantastic half-volley pick-up shot from Nadal at the net keeps the game alive.
And he’s soon back within a game in this second set! Another break may still be required but the 38-year-old is pulling himself back from the brink.
Rafael Nadal* 4-6, 2-4 Botic van de Zandschulp
The groundstrokes echo around the Jose Maria Martin Carpena Arena, the home fans stunned into silence with the end, perhaps, near.
But here comes the noise, extra energy injected as Nadal hammers the sort of forehand the home crowd haven’t seen often enough. Break point!
Saved! Super stuff from Botic van de Zandschulp, briefly baffled by a drop shot but showing off his stride length to get there and then parrying with distinction like a fencer at the net.
Another glimpse - Van de Zandschulp rather tamely sends a ball from hip height into the top of the net. But again the chance goes begging...
But Nadal breaks at the third attempt! The Spanish supporters erupt as their great champion shows all of his fighting spirit.
Rafael Nadal 4-6, 1-4 Botic van de Zandschulp*
“Rafa! Rafa!” comes the cry from the fans in Malaga, imploring their man to find a fightback that feels more and more unlikely as he slips again to 30-40. Rafael Nadal manages to make it to deuce, but Botic van de Zandschulp bops a backhand into the far corner to earn another break point.
Taken! A crisp passing shot and that may, sadly, be that for Nadal’s chances...
Rafael Nadal* 4-6, 1-3 Botic van de Zandschulp
Now then! A foot fault from Botic van de Zandschulp having already netted a serve opens the door at 0-30...
Slammed shut. A lovely sliding volley on the backhand side helps the Dutchman extricate himself.
Rafael Nadal 4-6, 1-2 Botic van de Zandschulp*
Van de Zandschulp’s groundstrokes in this last little period have been excellent. His ability to generate depth from beyond the baseline has been particularly impressive, not allowing Rafael Nadal to step in or set up that big forehand.
An error allows the veteran to do exactly that, pushing him to 40-30 in front. But then Nadal errs, another opportunity to launch off his left wing given too much oomph.
Two more deuces follow. And another - Nadal grunts and grimaces as he nets a backhand to end a 17-shot exchange.
But finally, Nadal battles to a vital, vital hold, chasing brilliantly after a lob and retrieving it magnificently with a spinning hook played with power and panache. How he needed that!
Rafael Nadal* 4-6, 0-2 Botic van de Zandschulp
It just feels like Botic van de Zandschulp has the firepower and range of strokes to get himself out of danger at the moment, with Rafael Nadal lacking physical and mental sharpness. From 15-30, the Dutchman holds without undue fuss. The 38-year-old needs to find something.
Rafael Nadal 4-6, 0-1 Botic van de Zandschulp*
A mighty forehand from Botic van de Zandschulp is a fine start to the second set from a Dutch perspective, and a further indication that he is starting to find his range.
But how about that! A leaping, arcing backhand volley is played to absolute perfection by the Rafael Nadal, curving into the corner to leave Van de Zandschulp bounding after it fruitlessly like an ageing golden retriever.
Good stuff, this - the Dutchman hits back with a checked forehand return that is too deep and too good for Nadal to deal with. And a helping hand from the net cord sets up a break point. Wide! Nadal is broken for a second time in succession as Van de Zandschulp consolidates his position of strength.
SET! Rafael Nadal 4-6 Botic van de Zandschulp
And the first set is secured impressively by Botic van de Zandschulp, that lone break all that was required in an otherwise nip-and-tuck encounter.
A few serving quivers, but otherwise it has been solid enough from the Dutchman. Rafael Nadal has work to do.
Rafael Nadal 4-5 Botic van de Zandschulp*
A delicious return from Botic van de Zandschulp, flicking his wrist to float a top-spin forehand past an approaching Rafael Nadal at 15-15. A futile lunge from Nadal as it passes him, and then an unforced error in rallying puts him in real strife.
Two break points, and a second serve to attack. The first is saved as Van de Zandschulp finds the net...but the second is snatched brilliantly by a superb backhand cross! First blood to the Dutchman at just the right time.
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