Indian tennis fans finally got their wish of witnessing the Rafael Nadal magic in New Delhi on Saturday as the 14-time Grand Slam champion propelled Spain to a doubles win over India in the Davis Cup World Group play-off tie at the RK Khanna Tennis Stadium. Nadal and Marc Lopez proved why they are the reigning Olympic champions as they came back from a set down to carve out a 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4 victory in 3 hours 23 minutes.
It meant Spain took an unassailable 3-0 lead over India having claimed wins in the singles rubbers on the opening day, putting the visitors back into the World Group after a two year absence.
With the evergreen 43-year-old Leander Paes partnering Saketh Myneni, a thrilling encounter was promised and the match truly lived up to the crowd’s expectations.
In a dramatic opening set, the Spaniards asserted themselves early on by breaking Paes’ serve to take a 4-1 lead. But the set was turned on its head by the Indian duo as the Spanish pair conceded two breaks of serve. Much to the delight of the spectators, the hosts won five games in a row to grab the first set 6-4.
Paes and Myneni broke again in the second set, putting themselves in pole position but the Spaniards rallied.
The 119th ranked Myneni faltered while serving out the second set at 5-4. His choice of a drop volley on break point backfired as Spain restored parity. Nadal was growing in confidence and the Spaniards raced through the ensuing tie-break to level matters at one set apiece.
🇮🇳🇮🇳 #showyourcolours 📸 by #daviscup pic.twitter.com/DnzJbhqJWj
— Leander Paes (@Leander) September 17, 2016
Nadal and Lopez attacked with authority in the third set and the 18-time Grand Slam champion Paes crumbled under pressure. The Olympic gold medallists capitalized, marching into a two-sets-to-one lead.
However, the fourth set was a totally different affair as Paes and Myneni again made inroads to the Nadal serve, racing into a 4-1 lead.
The match appeared to be heading to a decider but another twist in the tale was lying in waiting. In a mirror image of the first set, the 4-1 lead was erased as this time the Spanish team launched its comeback.
They broke the Indians twice to dash all hopes of the hosts, but for the watching crowd there was still reverence to be had in watching Nadal instigate victory at the Indian’s expense.
