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* 4-4 Botic van de Zandschulp
A couple of wobbly moments for Botic van de Zandschulp as his serving woes of earlier re-appear. A huge slice drags Rafael Nadal virtually into the first row, though, and the Spaniard is unable to hook the ball back into play. Eight straight games without a break.
Rafael Nadal 4-3 Botic van de Zandschulp*
A big serve bails Rafael Nadal out of a bit of bother at 30-30, but a slight misstep in his footwork in the next rally leaves the Spaniard short of power. That serve is in good working order, though, the volley not required as Botic van de Zandschulp’s return fails to cross the divide. Nadal completes the job, to the delight of most of the 9,500 or so inside the arena.
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.
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