Spain complete 5-0 India whitewash in Davis Cup

September 19, 2016 | 14:46

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NEW DELHI: Spain capped their return to the Davis Cup World Group by completing a 5-0 whitewash against India in New Delhi on Sunday (Sep 18).

Spain's David Ferrer returns a shot against India's Ramkumar Ramanathan during their Davis Cup singles tennis match in New Delhi. (AFP/Sajjad Hussain)

World number four Rafael Nadal was rested for the two dead rubbers on the final day as Marc Lopez and David Ferrer maintained Spain's dominance in the World Group play-off tie.

Marc Lopez beat Sumit Nagal 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 while Ferrer outclassed Ramkumar Ramanathan 6-2, 6-2 in the reverse singles matches at Delhi's RK Khanna Tennis Stadium.

Nadal, who pulled out of the opening singles match due to a stomach ache, ensured Spain's re-entry into the elite group with his doubles win with Marc Lopez on Saturday.

Nadal and Marc Lopez, who had won a doubles gold in the recent Rio Olympics, overcame a tough battle against India's Leander Paes and Saketh Myneni 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 6-4.

Five-time Davis Cup champions Spain made their way into the elite group after a gap of two years. They had lost to Germany in the first round of the World Group in 2014.

"That was the main plan, to get into the world group. Very happy to finally get there. From now on we can dream bigger," a delighted Spain captain Conchita Martinez said after the win.

The 13th-ranked Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez, who took court in place of Nadal on the opening day, had made things easy for Spain after winning their respective singles matches.

AFP

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