Spain make Argentina pay in Davis Cup final
November 23rd 2008 22:06
Without Rafael Nadal, Spain has crashed the party in Argentina and are now Davis Cup champions for the third time in their history.
Fernando Verdasco beat Jose Acasuso 6-3 6-7 4-6 6-3 6-1 to put the Spanish 3-1 up in the tie which assured the Davis Cup for Spain in Mar Del Plata. It was their third title after earlier winning the tournament in 2000 and 2004.
The dream is over for Argentina. They could not defeat a rival that had to make do without the world's best player and so, pay the ultimate price.
Acasuso nearly gave the Argentina faithful something to cheer about. He took Verdasco all the way in a tight five setter.
In the end though, Verdasco was far too strong, winning the deciding set 6-1 to send Spanish supporters into raptures. An unlikely victory based on pure determination and a willingness to get the job done.
Spain could have sensed this tie was going their way in the opening day of the final.
Argentina's no.1 player Juan Martin Del Potro had a unique opportunity to put the home side 2 nil up on the first day.
But injury and a lack of fitness cost him and Argentina dearly, with Feliciano Lopez causing an upset which gave Spain the mental energy needed to go on and finish the job.
Many thought Del Potro could have had a chance to redeem himself against Verdasco this morning, but he failed to overcome a muscle complaint he played with during his loss to Lopez.
Indeed that was the final nail in the coffin for Argentina. Acasuso is a good player at his best but just a good player nonetheless.
Del Potro on the other hand has weapons that can bring about devastating effects against his opponents, whether it be his forehand or his serve.
Acasuso can not count with much of the arsenal that Del Potro possesses, so it was only normal that most of the Argentine crowd were feeling edgy when he stepped on to the biggest stage Argentine Tennis can offer.
But he nearly delivered. Acasuso took the game to his opponent and nearly drew the tie for Argentina. But it was not to be.
Spain find themselves deserved champions again.
Not even Nadal's absence from the squad could deal Argentina their maiden Davis Cup triumph. Not even a football type, atmosphere cheering them on could prevent their third cup final defeat. Three finals played and all have been lost.
Although Argentina's player roster should see them participating in a fourth final soon enough, the opportunity presented at home in 2008 will be hard to topple.
Its for that reason alone that this defeat will hurt the Argentine public for many years to come.
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