Nadal defeats Tsonga to lead team into final – David Cup 2011 WG Semi-final: ESP vs FRA
Team France witnessed a devastation put across them by Team Spain at the Plaza de Toros de los Califas, Cordoba, Spain as the two met for their semi-final tie of the Davis Cup 2011 on 16th September. The Spaniards destroyed
the Frenchman with a 4-1 win, losing only the doubles rubber.
Kicking off with the first rubber, the King of Clay, Rafael ‘Rafa’ Nadal, held up his crown as he blistered the Red Clay beating the world No.15 in straight sets to gift his Team with the 1st win, 6-3, 6-0, 6-1. The
world No.2 returned to his perfect form from a rather controversial starting this season. With advantage start for his team, Rafa handed over the flag to compatriot, David Ferrer, world No.5, to charge into the second rubber.
The 29-year-old Spaniard, Ferrer, has been a consistent player for a long time. Considering the fact that the Spaniard is touching his 30’, he is well thought-out as one of the fittest players on the court. Firing up against the
world No.11, Gilles Simon, Ferrer went off with a hard thrashing to the Frenchman upholding the second rubber with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 win.
With the Spaniards leading the tie 2-0, the doubles match took off on Saturday, 17th September. From Team Spain, Fernando Verdasco teamed up Feliciano Lopez to take on Michael Llodra with the world no.10 Jo-Wilfried
Tsonga. With the doubles rubber underway, the Frenchmen proved lot stronger as a team rather than as individuals beating the Spaniards 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 in the third rubber.
As the lead was down to one rubber, Tsonga stepped up to level the scores with the world No.2, Nadal, and give his team a hope. However, the 25-year-old Spaniard was not to go down easily. The left-hander opened up with a bang,
taking away the first set with a bagel.
The French world No.10 did resist the fierce offensive play by the local lad, however, could not remove the king from his throne. Nadal made it look like a kids play when he outstood the Tsonga in the next two sets winning 6-2,
6-4 and gifted his team with a spot in the Davis Cup final.
Celebrating their win, the final ‘Dead’ rubber started off as Fernando Verdasco played a full form game against Richard Gasquet. The rubber ended as the world No.22 destroyed the Frenchman. Bagging the first two sets 6-2, 6-1 and
finally taking off for the final round of the Davis Cup 2011.
The 4-1 win over France was rather easy for the Spaniards; however, they face Team Argentina in the final who have never won the Davis Cup. Making their fourth appearance in the Davis Cup, the Argentine team would certainly give
a tough time to the Spaniards, though the latter are the favourites for the title win.
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