Spain take the Davis Cup

MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Spain overcame the absence of world number one Rafael Nadal to clinch the Davis Cup on Sunday when Fernando Verdasco beat Jose Acasuso to give them a 3-1 win over Argentina in the final.

Verdasco, brought in to replace Spain's off-form number one David Ferrer, won 6-3 6-7 4-6 6-3 6-1 to hand Argentina their third defeat in three final appearances and their first home loss for 10 years.

Verdasco, whose win gave Spain their third Davis Cup title, had himself been overlooked for Friday's opening singles but earned himself a chance by winning Saturday's doubles alongside Feliciano Lopez.

Acasuso, ranked 48th, was thrown into the fray after Argentina's number one Juan Martin del Potro was ruled out with a pulled muscle in his right leg.

"It's a dream. I've wanted this chance since I was a boy, few get it and even fewer take it," said an elated Verdasco after defying a partisan 11,000 crowd at the indoor Islas Malvinas arena.

"I think Rafael Nadal has...brought triumphs for the team...and it's thanks to his wins that we are here," said Spain captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario.

"But the players who are here deserve the repercussions. They have brought the team forward so they deserve all the headlines and the praise."

Argentina, unbeaten in 13 home matches, had begun as firm favourites but their chances nose-dived when Del Potro was surprisingly beaten by Lopez on Friday and injured his leg in the process.

A win in Saturday's doubles then put the visitors in the driving seat and the news that Del Potro would not play on Sunday was another blow.

"Del Potro's absence was a big hole in the team and complicated things," said Argentina captain Alberto Mancini. "We were still close and had some chances but we ended up losing."

via Reuters