Nadal delivers for Spain

Spanish hero clinches Davis Cup with epic win in Seville

Rafael Nadal claimed a fifth Davis Cup title for Spain in the last 11 years with an enthralling victory over Juan Martin Del Potro on Sunday.

Spain led Argentina 2-1 after the first two days' play in Seville and the world number two was tasked with taking them over the line against the former US Open champion.

But it all looked to be going wrong for Nadal in front of a boisterous crowd when he lost the first set to Del Potro 6-1.

However, he was galvanised by the support of the squad courtside as he fought back to win 1-6 6-4 6-1 7-6 in a match lasting more than four hours.

Del Potro had the chance to take it to a deciding set when he served for the fourth set at 5-3, but Nadal broke back and after two more dramatic breaks of serve the Spaniard took the tie-break 7-0 to send the crowd into a frenzy.

"It was a very emotional match and I am happy for the team," said Nadal. "It was the most amazing atmosphere I have ever played in. The crowd were crazy. Everything was perfect.

"It was complicated at the start of the match, but the beginning of the second set was very important and at 1-0 and 40-0 that was the turning point for me."

The result was hard on a tearful Del Potro, who went down in five sets to David Ferrer on Friday, and indeed Argentina, who were losing a final for a record fourth time.