Rafael Nadal suffers straight-set Davis Cup defeat in potential final match

Rafael Nadal fell to a straight-sets decision successful Spain’s Davis Cup quarter-final clash with the Netherlands successful what could beryllium the last lucifer of his illustrious career.

Nadal volition officially discontinue aft the tournament and was picked by skipper David Ferrer to pb retired his broadside successful the opening lucifer successful Malaga.

But the 22-time Grand Slam champion was incapable to summon his champion tennis successful his archetypal competitory outing since the Paris Olympics successful July, yet failing to a 6-4 6-4 decision against World No. 80 Botic van de Zandschulp.

The decision could people Nadal’s last lucifer arsenic a nonrecreational should Spain neglect to triumph the last 2 matches against their Dutch opposition.

Breaking down successful tears arsenic the nationalist anthem rung out beforehand, Nadal gave small distant successful the opening stages but was not noticeably restricted successful his quality to determination rapidly astir the court.

And with Van de Zandschulp increasing into the encounter, the 38-year-old was yet breached to springiness the Dutchman a 5-4 pb successful the archetypal set.

Van de Zandschulp made nary mistake, serving retired the last crippled to wrapper up the archetypal acceptable earlier breaking Nadal’s service instantly again astatine the commencement of the 2nd set.

The 29-year-old threatened to tally distant with the contention erstwhile helium broke for a 3rd clip successful the contention to instrumentality a 4-1 pb successful the 2nd set.

However, Nadal fought backmost valiantly, creating a big of opportunities earlier breaking consecutive backmost successful the pursuing game.

Ultimately, though, the Dutchman would clasp his nerve, serving retired his last 2 games to soundlessness the partisan location assemblage and assertion a immense triumph against the Spaniard.

More to follow…

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