Fernando Verdasco defeated Jose Acasuso 6-3, 6-7 (3), 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 in front of a boisterous Argentine crowd at Islas Malvinas Stadium. Argentina lost at home for the first time in 10 years in Davis Cup competition.
Verdasco, replacing David Ferrer in the reverse singles, overcame nine double-faults to beat a shaky Acasuso in 3 hours, 56 minutes. The 48th-ranked Acasuso was a late replacement for the injured Juan Martin del Potro, Argentina’s top-ranked player at No. 9.
Spain won its first Davis Cup title win on the road, adding to home victories against Australia in the 2000 final and the United States in 2004.
Argentina had reached the final twice, losing to the U.S. in 1981 and Russia in 2006.
After winning match point, Verdasco dropped to the ground in celebration and was embraced by his teammates. Argentina entered the heavy favorite after Nadal withdrew last week because of a knee injury.
Despite the support of nearly 10,000 fans, Acasuso was not able to keep up with Verdasco, who had played well in the doubles’ victory alongside Feliciano Lopez on Saturday. Acasuso served 14 aces, but had 47 unforced errors.
Verdasco broke Acasuso’s service in the sixth game, going up 4-2 to easily win the first set.
That silenced the crowd, but Acasuso lifted the fans by winning the second-set tiebreaker after each player broke twice. One of the breaks came when Acasuso was serving for the set at 5-4.
The Argentine kept pressing in the third set, breaking Verdasco in the first game and twice more. Verdasco stayed in the match with a solid fourth set, breaking Acasuso to lead 4-2 and winning four of the last five games.
The Spaniard then dominated the fifth set, winning the first four games and cruising to victory. Argentina last lost at home during Davis Cup competition in 1998 to Slovakia.
Acasuso had won his only other match against Verdasco, whose Davis Cup singles record improved to 4-3. Acasuso is 5-3.
The 20-year-old Del Potro, one of the hottest players on tour this year, injured his right thigh in a four-set loss to Lopez on Friday. Verdasco came in for Ferrer after he lost his singles match in three sets to David Nalbandian on Friday.
Spain’s doubles win Saturday ensured it needed just one victory on the final day to clinch the title, while the Argentines were left with the difficult task of having to win both matches on Sunday.
The title moved Spain from fourth to second in Davis Cup rankings, behind Russia. Argentina would have reached No. 1 with a victory.
The United States won last year’s final, beating Russia.
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