Rafa Nadal mounted a thrilling comeback back from a set down to beat Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 and secure Spain's fifth Davis Cup tennis triumph Sunday. The world No. 2, who demolished Juan Monaco in Friday's opening singles rubber, had a much tougher time on his beloved clay against an inspired del Potro but rallied to snuff out the South American nation's bid for a first title in their fourth final. The lanky del Potro, nicknamed the tower of Tandil after his birthplace, had fully recovered from his five-set defeat to David Ferrer in Friday's singles and delighted the raucous away supporters with a fearsome display of power hitting to take the first set. However, he ran out of steam at the crucial moment and lost the fourth-set tiebreak 7-0, sparking wild celebrations among the home supporters at the purpose-built indoor court at Seville's Olympic Stadium. Nadal's victory, his 16th in 16 Davis Cup singles matches on his favoured surface, gave Spain an unassailable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five tie as the favorites secured their third title in four years. It was their second Davis Cup final victory over Argentina following their success in Mar del Plata in 2008 and they also claimed the enormous trophy, known in Spanish as the ‘salad bowl', by beating Czech Republic in Barcelona in 2009. “We gave everything, it was a very emotional victory at the end of a tough year,” Nadal said in an interview with Spanish television. “Winning in this way, we are very grateful to all the people of Spain. It was the best atmosphere I have experienced in my career.” Argentina were 2-0 down after Friday's singles before David Nalbandian and Eduardo Schwank thrashed Spanish pair Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco in Saturday's doubles to keep the tie alive. According to Davis Cup rules, if the tie is decided after the fourth rubber and that match lasts at least four sets, the final singles will not be contested.
