Novak Djokovic (2nd L) of Serbia is comforted by team mates after his Davis Cup World Group semi-finalmatch against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina in Belgrade, Sept 18, 2011.
PARIS - Rafael Nadal led Spain to a 4-1 Davis Cup victory over France on Sunday, and a finaldate with Argentina, but there were tears for US Open winner Novak Djokovic whose injury-forced retirement saw champion Serbia slump 3-2 to the South Americans.
As Nadal brushed aside fatigue from his US Open final loss to Djokovic, to win two of his side'ssemifinal rubbers, the tearful Serb collapsed on court in agony in Belgrade with back pain lessthan a week after his Flushing Meadows triumph.
Nadal slayed France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-0, 6-2, 6-4 in Cordoba's bullring to secure thewinning point after the world No 2 thrashed Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-0, 6-1 in Friday's openingrubber.
"It's really unbelieveable, the feelings are very, veryemotional here today," said Nadal, who has a 18-1 win-loss record in Davis Cup and will compete in his sixthfinal.
"Today I felt good physically. Friday (against Gasquet)I wasn't quite there yet but because it wasn't a longmatch I could recharge my batteries for today."
Fernando Verdasco completed the rout for the hostwhen he beat Gasquet 6-2, 6-1 in the final deadrubber.
In Belgrade, Djokovic admitted he had been carrying aback injury from the US Open as he retired whiletrailing 7-6 (5), 3-0 in the day's first reverse singles toJuan Martin Del Potro.
Djokovic, who missed the opening day's play, replacedViktor Troicki in Sunday's lineup as captain BogdanObradovic tried to get the champion back into the tie inwhich it trailed 2-1 overnight.
"Of course I am very disappointed that the matchended this way," said the world No 1.
"I tried, but it did not work, I was not even 60 percentready, but we have accepted that risk although weknew that my injury could worsen," said Djokovic, whohad needed treatment on his back during his US Openfinal win.
It was only the third defeat in 67 matches this seasonfor the Serb - two of them because of retirements.
Djokovic's absence on Friday had seen Serbia trail 2-0 before Troicki and Nenad Zimonjicdefeated Juan Ignacio Chela and Juan Monaco 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday to keep the host'sbid alive.
In the dead rubber, Monaco, who replaced David Nalbandian, retired after the first set againstJanko Tipsarevic, which the Serbian player had won 6-2.
Argentina will travel to Spain for the Dec 2-4 final as it bids to win its first Davis Cup trophy afterfinishing runner-up in 1981, 2006 and 2008.
The Nadal-inspired Spanish, who are looking unbeatable on clay, are bidding for their fifth titleafter 2000, 2004, 2008, 2009.
David Ferrer defeated Gilles Simon 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 on Friday before Tsonga and Michael Llodrakept France's hopes alive on Saturday when they beat Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco6-1, 6-2, 6-0.
In World Group playoff ties, the Czech Republic completed a 5-0 whitewash of Romania toadvance along with Japan who beat India 4-1.
Russia, Austria, Italy, Croatia and Canada also booked their berths in next season's WorldGroup.
No comments:
Post a Comment