Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns a ball to Ukraine’s Sergiy Stakhovsky during the World Group Play-offs 2013 at the Caja Magica sports complex in Madrid yesterday. Winning nations qualify for the World Group in 2014. (AFP)
A ruthless Rafa Nadal made a seamless transition from hard court to clay when he crushed Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine 6-0 6-0 6-4 to give Spain a commanding 2-0 lead in their Davis Cup World Group playoff in Madrid yesterday.
Turning out for his country only four days after his US Open triumph in New York, the world number two showed no sign of fatigue or sympathy for his 92nd-ranked opponent as he dismantled the hapless Stakhovsky in devastating fashion at the futuristic “Magic Box” venue.
Clubbing winners apparently at will on the Manolo Santana showcourt, Nadal put Spain firmly in control following Fernando Verdasco’s 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-2 success against Ukrainian number one Alexandr Dolgopolov in the opening singles rubber.
Stakhovsky, who caused a sensation at Wimbledon this year when he beat seven-times champion Roger Federer in the second round, raised his arms and was given a rousing cheer when he won the opening game of the third set.
He found the inspiration to hold serve three more times before Nadal secured the crucial break to lead 5-4 and clinched victory on his first match point when Stakhovsky sent a backhand service return sailing beyond the baseline.
It was the first time in 769 career singles matches that Nadal has won the opening two sets of a five-set match 6-0.
“Obviously it’s not the ideal thing physically to change surfaces in a couple of days,” the Spaniard said in a courtside interview with Spanish television broadcaster Teledeporte.
“But it’s always special for me to play on clay and it’s a surface that I love,” the 27-year-old added.
“I had only a very short time to adapt but I more or less felt fine.”
Spain need one more point for victory in the best-of-five tie and could wrap things up in today’s doubles as they bid to preserve their place in the elite World Group.
Spain are in the playoffs after losing away to Milos Raonic’s Canada in the first round in February when Nadal, who had just returned from an injury layoff, did not feature.
Novak Djokovic, beaten by Nadal in the US Open final, helped Serbia move ahead against Canada in the World Group semi-finals while the Czech Republic led Argentina 1-0.
Switzerland were unable to call on Roger Federer but took a 2-0 lead against Ecuador with US Open semi-finalist Stanislas Wawrinka getting his side off to a winning start.
Germany also opened up a 2-0 lead against Brazil.
