Rafael Nadal bags the fourth rubber against Juan Martin Del Potro – Davis Cup Final 2011
Sunday, 4th of December 2011, was probably the best day of the 2011 season for the top Spaniard, Rafael Nadal, as he played against Argentine top star, Juan Martin Del Potro, in the final rubber of the Davis Cup World Group Final 2011. Overpowering
his rival in a four set hard hitting rubber, Spaniard roared in relief and joy celebrating his 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6(0) win at the Olympic Stadium in Seville, Spain.
Playing on Clay courts, the two had been struggling in their past fixture, as the Spaniard failed to perform in London as well as in other tournaments. Del Potro on the other hand, was struggling to make his mark in Davis Cup. Although the world No.11 was
the main weapon for Argentina, still could not produce any satisfying endings.
Starting up with the fixture, Del Potro took his side to serve the first game of the rubber; however, Nadal struck early, breaking down his rival to lead, 0-1. World No.11 struck back as he won his first breakpoint levelling up the scores at 1-1. Extending
his lead, Del Potro managed to bag another winner to lead the set, 2-1.
Carrying on, Argentine 23-year-old stepped forward as he broke the higher ranked local lad in game four, 3-1, and served out game five to lead 4-1. With just two more games left to finish off with the first set, Del Potro struck again with a breakpoint win
and followed with a service winner concluding the set with a marvellous 6-1 win over the Spaniard in the first set.
The second set continued with a similar start. Nadal broke down serving the set opener, 0-1, however, followed with a winner over Del Potro’s serve to level the scores at 1-1. Carrying on, Nadal, saving a near breakpoint, managed to win his first service
game to lead the set, 2-1.
However, Argentine world No.11 followed with a winner levelling up right away, 1-1. Rallying down games, the two levelled up again at 2-2, 3-3 and then 4-4, before the local lad made his move. Serving out game nine, Nadal ignited as he broke the lower ranked
in game ten, 6-4, and finally jumped back into the match.
With two more sets left, the Spaniard took control as he opened up the third set with a super serve-break-serve to lead the set, 3-0. Del Potro managed to win a game, game four, 3-1, before Nadal served-broke-served again to finish off the set 6-1.
The final set was the most fired up set. With eight breakpoints in the set, four each, the two ended up in a tiebreaker with Potro serving first. Nadal, outrageous, slammed down the world No.11 in the tiebreaker winning 7-0, to capture the set, 7-6(0), and
raised his hands to celebrate his team’s victory in the final round of Davis Cup World Group Final 2011.
Winning their fourth win against the Argentine team, the Spaniard not only celebrated their huge win, however, Nadal was finally happy with his performance after a season full of disasters.
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