Rafael Nadal seals Davis Cup for Spain

Rafael Nadal beat Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro in a thrilling match to secure the Davis Cup for Spain. World number two Nadal lost six games in a row in the first set but came back superbly to win a high-class encounter 1-6 6-4 6-1 7-6 (7-0) in Seville.

The victory was his 16th successive win in Davis Cup singles on clay and gave the hosts an unassailable 3-1 lead.
However Nadal said his busy schedule, which includes the Olympics, meant he would not play Davis Cup in 2012.
His success secured Spain's fifth Davis Cup title and their third in four years, while Argentina have yet to win it.

"Today is one of the most emotional days of my career," said Nadal, 25, after winning the title for the third time.
"After such a difficult year, this was a spectacular finale to the season. To win a final this way is very special.
"We are very grateful to all the people of Spain. It was the best atmosphere I have experienced in my career.
"Next year I will not play. Next year is a very complex year. It's an Olympic year. I have been, for many years, one of the players that plays the highest number of games in a year, and I don't want to over play.
"So next year, since it's an Olympic year, my participation in the Davis Cup is impossible."
A strangely out-of-sorts Nadal broke Del Potro in the first game but his opponent battled his way back into the match and dominated the Spaniard's serve to take the opening set to the delight of the Argentine fans in the 28,000 Olympic Stadium.

However, Nadal's indomitable spirit helped him halt Del Potro's run and he took the second set with a typically aggressive display that was greeted by a huge roar from the home supporters.
The 10-time Grand Slam winner took the third set in commanding style and the result looked to be a formality with Del Potro, who lost a near five-hour epic to David Ferrer on the opening day, seemingly tiring.
But, as the tension grew with each point, the 11th-ranked Argentine dug deep and produced a series of magnificent winners to keep the tie alive, taking 10 points in a row and then breaking the Spaniard in the eighth game to give himself the chance to serve for the set.

However, amid increasing noise from the crowd, Nadal went on the attack and broke Del Potro's serve to level the set again.
Nadal broke his opponent again but Del Potro was not beaten yet and broke back immediately, firing a blistering forehand winner to take the set into a tie-break, in which the left-hander was unstoppable.
"On home clay they are probably one of the best teams in history," Argentina captain Tito Vazquez said after Spain stretched their record home winning streak to 21 series.
Del Potro left the court in tears for the second time in three days, having also let slip a lead in his five-set loss in his opening singles match.

"Both my colleagues and I must be happy that we have done a good job, not only in this tie but the whole Davis Cup," said 23-year-old Del Potro.
"We could fight Spain on home turf and we could feel that we could beat them.
"But beyond the defeat, I am particularly happy because of what the team gave me and what my colleagues gave me and their support so that I could play better."
SOURCE:BBC SPORTS

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ATP World Tour Finals: Roger Federer beats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga/BBC Sports

Roger Federer's 70th title was a record sixth in the ATP World Tour Finals

Roger Federer after winning the ATP World Tour Finals Roger Federer's 70th title was a record sixth in the ATP World Tour Finals

Roger Federer became the most successful player in season-end championship history with victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win the ATP World Tour Finals.
Federer marked the 100th final of his career with his 70th title and an unprecedented sixth at this event, winning 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 in two hours and 18 minutes.
A set and a break up, the Swiss legend almost had his hands on the trophy - only for Tsonga to hit back and save a match point to dramatically force a decider.
But the 16-time Grand Slam champion showed all his class and experience to retain the title in front of a 17,500 capacity crowd at London's O2 Arena.

The 30-year-old becomes the oldest player to lift the trophy, joins Ivan Lendl on an unmatched 39 match wins at this tournament and replaces Britain's Andy Murray as world number three.
"I couldn't be more happy, I couldn't be more exhausted," said Federer who ended a campaign without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2002.

"Jo sapped every last bit of energy out of me. There couldn't be a better way for me to finish the season.
"I really enjoyed every minute of being here, see you next year."

Federer had won seven of their 10 previous meetings - including all three indoors after victories in the recent Paris Masters final and the opening match of the competition last Sunday.
But their most memorable encounter came in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon this year, when Tsonga came from two sets down to clinch a stunning triumph on Centre Court.
The Frenchman said beating Federer here would mean more because of the silverware at stake and that he would be prepared to "break my two ankles" to do so.

He got off to an assured start, marking his first delivery of the match with a huge ace and dropping only one point on serve while putting Federer under plenty of pressure.
But the worst position Federer faced was deuce as his plan of outmanoeuvring the big-hitting sixth seed came to fruition, and in game eight he pounced.

Two thumping backhands gave him 0-30 before he sent the crowd wild by passing Tsonga up the line to register three break points. The first was taken when Tsonga netted a forehand volley.
Federer converted his third set point to assume a commanding position, and there would be no let-up for a dejected Tsonga, who repeatedly shaped to smash his racquet before pulling away.

He came through a sticky position in game three of the second set, but that proved a warning for worse to come and Federer unleashed a stunning forehand winner to strike for 3-2.
Tsonga faced another break point in game seven but he managed to save it and that would prove crucial as Federer, serving for the match at 5-4, capitulated.

Out of nowhere, Tsonga was back in contention - pumping his fists, roaring with delight - and the spectators toasted the possibility of seeing a deciding set.
A tie-break beckoned and Federer crafted his way to 5-2 before reeling off an ace for 6-5. The trophy presentation party were already waiting courtside, but Tsonga was going nowhere.
He wrong-footed Federer with a forehand on match point, sent down a booming serve for set point and took it with a vicious forehand that landed at Federer's feet.
Both men gave everything they could to wear the other down in the deciding set, but it was Federer who always seemed the more capable.

He cranked up the intensity in game seven to break for 5-3 - Tsonga failing to control a forehand on break point number three - and let out an ear-piercingly joyous scream.
When Federer served out to love with a smash, it was time to party.
"Congratulations, Roger," said Tsonga. "Without you, I can maybe get some other titles. But you are here, you are the best. It's amazing to play on this court and be in London."

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