Nadal Draws Spain Level On Comeback

SPAIN 1, GERMANY 1
Venue: Plaza de Toros de Valencia, Valencia, ESP (clay- outdoor)

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal returned to action for the first time since the Australian Open on Friday, beating Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 in Valencia.

The Spaniard hit 28 forehand winners throughout the two-hour, 33-minute clash at the bullring venue to score his 23rd consecutive Davis Cup singles victory and level the tie at 1-1. “It’s positive of course, winning in straight sets,” Nadal told DavisCup.com. “It was a solid match. I feel comfortable back on the clay.

”It’s always special to play at home at a bullring stadium, it’s very unique. It’s a great feeling to be back, coming back from injuries is always difficult, but it’s great to be in front of my crowd on a very memorable day. I’m very happy with the match.”

Nadal was under pressure to deliver a crucial first point for the home side after Alexander Zverev secured the opening point of the quarter-final with a convincing 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 win over David Ferrer.

Despite dropping serve on five occasions, the World No. 4 broke the Spanish veteran 10 times to earn three-time champion Germany an early lead in eastern Spain after one hour and 55 minutes. The Miami Open presented by Itaú finalist moves to 3-0 in 2018 Davis Cup play after wins over Australia’s Alex de Minaur and Nick Kyrgios in the first round.

“I am just happy to get the result,” said Zverev. “I played more aggressively as the match went on. It is my first clay-court match in a very long time so it was great to find my rhythm so quickly.”

Germany is bidding to become the first team to beat Spain at home since Brazil in 1999, with Spain winning its past 26 ties on home soil.