Rafael Nadal beat Dan Evans in 6-4, 6-0 to take the Davis Cup semi-final to a deciding doubles rubber.
It was Rafa’s 28th consecutive Davis Cup singles win stretching back to 2004 – and he has lost only five sets in 15 years.
After the match, our champ said:
Have been a tough, tough first set. He played great, changing the rhythm and played aggressive.
[After breaking for the set at 5-4]: I think I started to play with more freedom on the shots, the ball started to go in the right places. Super happy for the victory and I hope we can play another great match in the doubles.
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his semi-final singles match against Dan Evans of Great Britain during Day Six of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for LTA)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the first set in his semi-final singles match against Dan Evans of Great Britain during Day Six of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the first set in his semi-final singles match against Dan Evans of Great Britain during Day Six of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his semi final singles match against Dan Evans of Great Britain during Day 6 of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Dan Evans of Great Britain and Rafael Nadal of Spain shake hands following their semi-final singles match during Day Six of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for LTA)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the first set in his semi-final singles match against Dan Evans of Great Britain during Day Six of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for LTA)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the first set in his semi-final singles match against Dan Evans of Great Britain during Day Six of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for LTA)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the first set in his semi-final singles match against Dan Evans of Great Britain during Day Six of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for LTA)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the first set in his semi-final singles match against Dan Evans of Great Britain during Day Six of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for LTA)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates following his victory in his semi final singles match against Dan Evans of Great Britain during Day 6 of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for LTA)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates following his victory in his semi final singles match against Dan Evans of Great Britain during Day 6 of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for LTA)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates following his victory in his semi final singles match against Dan Evans of Great Britain during Day 6 of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for LTA)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the first set in his semi-final singles match against Dan Evans of Great Britain during Day Six of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for LTA)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain acknowledges the crowd following the victory in his semi final singles match against Dan Evans of Great Britain during Day 6 of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates following his victory in his semi final singles match against Dan Evans of Great Britain during Day 6 of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 23, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for LTA)
Without words to say, despite let me congratulate you for another time, I really don´t know the uncountable times, I must tell you how “GREAT” you are. The canarian C. Javier
Bravo Rafa;I am very proud of
You; you are a real Champion !
Gusdalupe; MONTREAL
Sent from my iPhone
Rafa looked fantastic. Well done champ <3
Força Rafael, vamos torcer muito PARFABÉNS.
Proves the old saying a true champion can win even when not playing at his best. I thought Rafa seemed rather flat, perhaps tired, compared to his pumped up energy on previous days. His serve won him a lot of free points, but his forehand was not as good as normal.
I think Rafa is almost running on empty now, after his spectacular year, plus the wedding. His indomitable will, and pride in playing for his country will pull him through, but I just hope he will have a good, long rest and recuperation before 2020.