Here is Kevin Mitchell’s report on a dramatic night in Madrid.
They should create another team competition in 2020 and call it Rafael Nadal vs. The World.
— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) November 23, 2019
oh wait, we've already been watching that this entire week.
That loss will be tough to take, but that should go down as a strong effort from the British team. Their recent Davis Cup success has been driven by the strength of Andy Murray at the peak of his career. This week, Murray played only one rubber but his teammates stepped up and showed their strength in depth across both singles and doubles to reach the semi-final this week and nearly even more. Well done to all.
Updated
Rafael Nadal:
Well, here we are. This competition is dramatic and with this new format even more. Things were really close and we were not able to have one break in the entire match... We are super, super happy, it has been an amazing and unforgettable evening.
Vamoooooos 🇪🇸🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/eTI72wV8KY
— David Ferrer (@DavidFerrer87) November 23, 2019
ESP 2-1 GBR. Rafael Nadal and Feliciano Lopez defeat Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski 7-6(3) 7-6(8)
Astonishing effort from Spain to move into the final and particularly from Rafael Nadal who dragged his team into the final with an astonishing performance. The Spaniards saved four set points in the third set and few watching will forget the way Nadal single-handedly saved the set point on Skupski’s serve at 5-6*. Given his age, one of the great seasons in tennis history continues.
Updated
Second set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) 6-6 (8-9*) Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): Jamie Murray saves the match point by forcing a Nadal backhand error with forehand volley. But at 8-8, Lopez produces one of his best returns of the match. Breathtaking drama right now. Second match point.
Updated
Second set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) 6-6 (*7-8) Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): Nadal saved the set point with a bomb of an inside out forehand winner after a frantic struggle. Nadal then fired down a big unreturned serve to bring up match point.
Second set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) 6-6 (*7-6) Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): A fourth set point for Great Britain here after an easy volley winner from Murray.
Second set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) 6-6 (*6-6) Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): Incredible play from Nadal to save a second set point. Murray had a simple volley over the net, but he framed the volley. Nadal chased the volley down, lobbed Murray at the net and then dispatched the overhead. Astonishing scenes.
Second set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) 6-6 (*4-3) Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): Incredible scenes as Nadal attempts to challenge an unreturned serve by Skupski, only for the umpire to the deny the call because she felt it was too late. Nadal was completely enraged. He called out the umpire, repeatedly screaming: “Faster? Impossible!” He responded by slamming down a serve to level the tiebreak, but a brilliant volley from Skupski produces the first mini-break.
Second set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) 6-6 Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): We’re going to a tiebreak, but some agonising moments on Nadal’s serve there. With the score at 30-30, Lopez had the easiest overhead in the world on top of the net, but he somehow blasted it far out. On set point, Skupski produced a brilliant return and proceeded to go blow for blow with Nadal in a frantic point, but Nadal slipped a forehand down the line past Murray to save the set point. Two big serves later, the Spaniards held.
Updated
Second set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) 6-5* Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): Murray and Skupski piece together yet another love service game on Skupski’s serve. According to Eurosport commentator Barry Cowan, the Spaniards have missed a third of their returns today. Before he can even finish his sentence, Nadal slams a backhand return into the net. The Brits have served as well as they can and they will do no worse than another tiebreak here. Can they get it done?
Second set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) *5-5 Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): The Brits continue to pile on the pressure create opportunities wherever they can. This time, Jamie Murray produced an incredible reflex volley followed by a lunging forehand passing shot to bring up 30-30. The opportunity only lasted a millisecond as Lopez slammed down a huge serve at 30-30, then produced a great first volley at 40-30.
Updated
Second set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) 5-4* Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): There is not much to say about Great Britain on serve except that both Skupski and Murray are serving extremely well and picking off every last return at the net. As Murray slams down another love hold, they have lost just two points on serve all set. The pressure will rest heavily on the shoulders of the Spaniards here.
Updated
Second set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) *4-4 Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): It’s midnight in Madrid but the crowd is as loud as it has been throughout this entire week as Nadal slams down another hold to 30. He very nearly whipped an insane forehand around the netpost, but he instead he has to settle for more great serving. Nadal keeps on imploring the crowd to scream at the top of its lungs and so far it is obliging.
Updated
Second set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) 4-3* Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): Skupski continues to serve incredibly well, breezing through an easy love hold. The Brit picked a brilliant overhead from high out of the sky at 30-0 before sealing the love hold by acing Nadal. They move on.
Second set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) *3-3 Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): Lopez allows the Spaniards to breathe after two complicated holds from deuce. Enormous serving from the Spaniard throughout, with Nadal picking off an easy volley to seal the love hold.
Second set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) 3-2* Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): There has been a clear shift in the second set. The Brits are piling on the pressure in their return games while breezing through their service games. Another easy service game for Murray with plenty of big serving. The question is whether they can make this momentum count as no tennis player in the world is as good at wrestling momentum back in their favour as Nadal.
Updated
Second set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) *2-2 Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): These are tense moments, with the Brits putting so much pressure on the Spaniards now. At 30-30, Lopez fumbled a volley at 30-30 to bring up break point on Nadal’s serve. Both Murray and Skupski fired stroke after stroke towards Lopez at the net, who miraculously held them off and saved the break point. The opportunity was gone as quickly as it arrived. Nadal closed the game with some huge serving, including a 133mph(!) ace to finish.
Second set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) 2-1* Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): Skupski is finding plenty of joy in his service games now. It’s partly down to the magic hands of his partner at the net - Murray opened the game a glorious volley, deflecting a huge forehand return by Nadal with a no-look angled drop volley. However, Skupski is also serving extremely well and he ploughed through another quick hold to 15.
It must be said that the returning from both teams have left a lot to be desired in this match, but it certainly doesn’t help that the courts are so fast.
Second set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) *1-1 Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): Lopez holds, but the Brits should take plenty of encouragement from that tight deuce game. Lopez missed a couple of first serves and the Brits made them pay, forcing him to 30-30 for the very first time. But at 30-30, Nadal produced a brilliant angled backhand volley past Skupski. Skupski responded with a searing forehand return winner to push Lopez to deuce, but the Spaniard slammed down two big first serves in succession to eradicate the danger. We’ll see if they can keep on producing that quality under pressure.
Second set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) 1-0* Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): The Spaniards left the court for the bathroom and the break seems to have served the Brits well. Jamie Murray eased through the opening service game with more great serving to edge ahead. It will be interesting to see if the Brits serving first in this set makes any difference.
It has to be said - Nadal may well be more entertaining on a doubles court than in singles. The difference between his level of intensity and the other three players on the court is so great. Most doubles teams tend to be understated and positive. Meanwhile, Nadal is pumping his fists as if his life depends on it.
Spanish Flair 💪
— Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals (@DavisCupFinals) November 23, 2019
Lopez/Nadal win a tense first set 7-6(3) against Great Britain.#GBRESP #DavisCupMadridFinals #ByRakuten pic.twitter.com/YaCmhr2JKc
First set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-7(3) Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP)
Tiebreaks can turn on moments of magic, but also luck. At 4-2, Lopez shanked a forehand passing shot that both Brits thought was flying out. It just landed in. As Lopez apologized, Nadal roared to the heavens. And that was that. After an incredibly tight match, it was the Spaniards who played a faultless tiebreak and stand one set from the final.
Updated
First set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-6 (2-4) Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): A moment of magic from Nadal at 1-0 has turned this tiebreak in Spain’s favour. He finally landed a brilliant dipping forehand return before slipping a forehand winner up the line. Nadal followed it up with two brilliant serves to lead 4-1. A great serve from Skupski brings one back. Only one mini-break is in this.
First set: J.Murray/Skupski 6-6 Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): We’re heading to a tiebreak! Another quick hold from Skupski, who has been nearly as dominant on serve as Lopez since his opening service game. Nadal has been surprisingly poor on return, continually moving back and not looking too confident there. Let’s see if that changes in the tiebreak...
Updated
First set: J.Murray/Skupski *5-6 Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): Tense, tense moments as Nadal saves break point to hold and keep Spain ahead. It was Skupski who brought up the break point, crushing a bullet forehand winner down the line as Lopez errantly crossed the net. But Nadal is serving extremely well and he saved the break point with a sliding serve out wide.
It took a couple of game points, but on the second, Lopez came up with an incredible reflex backhand volley, which just dribbled over. The crowd is loud. Nadal is pumped. A tiebreak beckons.
First set: J.Murray/Skupski 5-5* Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): Jamie Murray continues to be deadly on his serve and he strolls to yet another love hold. Both Brits are volleying extremely well so far, with Murray bringing up 40-0 with a sweet backhand volley winner straight down the middle. After a missed forehand volley from Lopez at 40-0, we’re level again.
Lopez has been the weak link in every part of the court aside from his serve, but he sure does serve well.
First set: J.Murray/Skupski *4-5 Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): After some tight service games at the beginning, this set is moving fast with big serving and plenty of quick points. This time, it’s Lopez’s turn to slam down a love hold. Enormous serving from him and the few returns that come back are being dealt with by Nadal. The pressure builds...
First set: J.Murray/Skupski 4-4* Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): A quick love hold from Skupski, who really seems to be growing in confidence. Great serving from the Brit throughout, with Murray picking off all weak responses to the net.
Updated
First set: J.Murray/Skupski *3-4 Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): Nadal strings together a much better service game, holding to love with a swinging ace out wide. More great serving from Nadal, with Lopez cleaning up well at the net. Skupski will be looking for a first simple hold of his own.
First set: J.Murray/Skupski 3-3* Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): Jamie Murray strings together an easy hold of his own, slamming down an ace at 30-0. Nadal absolutely clobbered a forehand return winner down the line at 40-0, but then Lopez netted a forehand return of his own.
Lopez has returned quite horribly so far, with very few even clearing the net. That may eventually hurt them.
First set: J.Murray/Skupski *2-3 Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): No problems for Lopez on his serve. He is by far the biggest server on the court and Nadal is having plenty of fun picking off the loose balls his serve elicits. The pressure falls straight back onto the shoulders of the Brits.
First set: J.Murray/Skupski 2-2* Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): Skupski pulls off a brilliant hold, fending off break point to level the match. It took him five game points with the Brit finding a heck of a lot more joy when serving against Lopez at deuce, only for Nadal to produce numerous incredible returns on game point to drag the game back to deuce. After four missed game points, Skupski finally found two effective serves against Nadal to hold on.
First set: J.Murray/Skupski *1-2 Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): Nadal has also picked up where he left off against Evans with some good serving to hold his opening service game. After the Spaniards moved up 30-0, the Brits responded with two brilliant returns in a row - Murray nailed a brilliant backhand return down the line, then Skupski crushed an inside out forehand return winner.
But Nadal found a huge serve down the T at 30-30, which Lopez happily picked off. He found two more big serves from deuce, with Skupski’s return flying out on game point to seal the hold.
Aside from the Spanish team, the big question mark is Neal Skupski, who is playing in his first Davis Cup tie and has never played in an atmosphere like this. Let’s see how he handles this first service game.
Updated
First set: J.Murray/Skupski 1-1* Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): Nadal has started the match the way he ended the last, firing a forehand winner past Skupski at the net and then drilling a backhand return straight at the Brit to immediately move to 0-30. But Jamie Murray responded with four great serves to dig out a hold.
Both Spaniards are took some huge swings and Lopez very nearly buried a backhand down the line return winner at 30-30, but Great Britain will take that.
First set: J.Murray/Skupski *0-1 Nadal/Lopez (GBR 1-1 ESP): Feliciano Lopez opens up Spain’s account with a brilliant opening service game. Plenty of enormous serving from the Spaniard already, but he also executed a beautiful low volley at 30-15 before slamming down the overhead. After a great second serve to the body, Nadal picked off an easy forehand volley to put the Spanish pair on the board.
Pre-match doubles notes
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) November 23, 2019
Neal Skupski the only righty on court and the only man in his twenties
Hope Jamie Murray plays better than he warmed up. Buried a couple groundies in bottom of the net as he adjusted (or not) to Nadal's spin
Murray & Nadal go way back: to Euro jr. days
Rafael Nadal and Feliciano Lopez are old friends and played quite a lot of doubles together when they were younger but they have paired up only once since 2008 (Stuttgart 2015). Their record together isn’t great, with only one final in 2005. Their only Davis Cup doubles match together was a 4-6 6-4 6-2 4-6 9-7 loss to Bracciali/Galimberi in Spain’s 3-2 win over Italy in 2005.
In other words, it’s difficult to know how they will gel together and J. Murray/Skupski will have to figure them out as the match goes on. What we do know is that Nadal is an excellent doubles player - by far the best doubles player of the big four - and Lopez won the French Open in 2016. Let’s see how this goes. The players are now warming up.
We have the official Spanish pairing. As with their first singles rubber, it’s a bit of a shock. Nadal has paired with Marcel Granollers in the previous two rubbers, winning both matches. Today, he will take to the court with Feliciano Lopez.
Changes for Spain: Nadal/Lopez to play doubles.#GBRESP #DavisCupMadridFinals #byRakuten pic.twitter.com/iewvGexJMr
— Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals (@DavisCupFinals) November 23, 2019
Still no news on the doubles lineups, but play will resume at 21:05 GMT.
Rafael Nadal after his big win:
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.
Spain’s doubles lineup is yet to be confirmed, but it’s hard to imagine that he won’t step out onto the court if he is in any good shape.
Rafael Nadal defeats Dan Evans 6-4 6-0 (GBR 1-1 ESP).
Evans played extremely well for eight games, but as soon as the world number one flipped into gear, it was all over. An awesome display from the world number one. It’s time for some doubles.
Updated
Second set: Dan Evans 4-6 *0-5 Rafael Nadal (GBR 1-0 ESP): Since the opening couple of games, Nadal has been unimpeachable on his serve. He is serving incredibly well but also serving and volleying behind his serve so frequently.
Last week, Nadal became the oldest world number one in history precisely because of how efficient he has become and how much more willing he is to shorten up these points.
Updated
Second set: Dan Evans 4-6 0-4* Rafael Nadal (GBR 1-0 ESP): The answer comes very quickly. Evans is missing first serves, making a few more errors and the tank looks empty. At 15-30, Nadal crushes a glorious inside out forehand winner, then Evans nets a volley after an almighty scramble from Nadal.
This is a lesson for Evans. He can play at a high level for a period, but the top level requires that intensity point after point until the end.
Second set: Dan Evans 4-6 *0-3 Rafael Nadal (GBR 1-0 ESP): Credit to Evans for bouncing back from the break immediately and continuing to attack the net. He brought up a 15-30 lead on Nadal’s serve with a sweet chip and charge, dispatching a nice backhand volley at the net.
But Nadal is serving too well now. The Spaniard slammed down a few big serves and escaped to consolidate the break. Needless to say, he can play at this level and with this intensity forever. Can Evans?
Updated
Second set: Dan Evans 4-6 0-2* Rafael Nadal (GBR 1-0 ESP): Nadal is beginning to return extremely well and the immense pressure from the world number one is finally starting to leave a mark on Evans. Evans reached 40-30, only for Nadal to go on the attack, crushing an overhead to save the first game point. Evans quickly generated another, but he overhit just too much and sent a forehand long.
With his return flowing, Nadal brought up his break point with a brilliant crosscourt backhand return. It took a couple of attempts, but on his second break point he crushed an angled forehand crosscourt return winner to take the break.
Updated
Second set: Dan Evans 4-6 *0-1 Rafael Nadal (GBR 1-0 ESP): Nadal opens with another quick service game, sealed with more great serving and then a sweet serve and volley on the final point. This continues to be a prickly atmosphere, even by Davis Cup standards, with the players both exchanging words with the umpire.
Back to the tennis, Nadal is 48-1 after losing the opening set this year. Again, this is a tough task.
Updated
First set: Dan Evans 4-6 Rafael Nadal (GBR 1-0 ESP): That was a little bit more than a challenging service game for Evans! That was impossible. Nadal opened with huge inside out forehand, then he crushed a forehand down the line return to set up an easy finishing forehand. At 0-30, Nadal found an incredible backhand down the line passing shot off his return. In the blink of an eye, the Brit found himself down three set points.
Evans saved the first two break points with aplomb, but on the third he just sent a forehand wide. Just too good from the world number one.
Updated
First set: Dan Evans *4-5 Rafael Nadal (GBR 1-0 ESP): Nadal is still serving extremely well and he strolls through another game to move to within a point of victory. An ace down the T at 30-15 and another big serve to hold.
Nadal punctuated that hold with huge “venga!” which means that he is extremely pumped up. A challenging service game for Evans next...
First set: Dan Evans 4-4* Rafael Nadal (GBR 1-0 ESP): Things are getting spicy in the Caja Magica. The crowd is now throwing in a few scattered boos towards Evans and cheering his missed first serves, but he shrugs off their noise and pieces together one of his most positive holds of the day. After two great unreturned first serves, he holds to 15.
12,000 crowd and you can still hear Andy Murray shout ‘BRILLIANT!’ when he spots Evans has middled a backhand for a winner before anyone else has realised.
— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) November 23, 2019
First set: Dan Evans *3-4 Rafael Nadal (GBR 1-0 ESP): As he puts immense pressure on Evans’ serve, Nadal seems to have found a good rhythm on his serve. He is serving well and also frequently serving and volleying now.
Nadal has always been great at the net, but he has never come to the net more frequently and it has allowed him to find even more joy on faster courts.
Updated
First set: Dan Evans 3-3* Rafael Nadal (GBR 1-0 ESP): This is only getting tougher, but Evans digs out another tight deuce game to keep himself in the mix. This time, he led 40-15 and then he missed two routine forehands to bring him back to deuce. But he kept on serving well and taking his shots on. It took three more game points, but eventually Nadal dropped a forehand into the net and Evans escaped.
First set: Dan Evans *2-3 Rafael Nadal (GBR 1-0 ESP): No such problems for Nadal, who pieces together his first love hold of the day with some brilliant serving. An ace, a few unreturned serves and one monster forehand. Easy.
First set: Dan Evans 2-2* Rafael Nadal (GBR 1-0 ESP): That was impressive. Evans saves a couple of break points to level Nadal again. After immediately falling down 0-30 he executed a beautiful angled drop volley from a low, dipping passing shot. When Nadal brought up his first break point at 30-40, Evans saved the break point with a forehand crosscourt followed by another huge ‘c’mon’, then a second break point with a big forehand down the line. Evans found a brilliant forehand down the line passing shot to hold.
You get the picture. He is taking big cuts at the ball, moving forward and defending extremely well. It has to be that good just to hold serve.
Updated
First set: Dan Evans *1-2 Rafael Nadal (GBR 1-0 ESP): Evans continues to look up for this match and he is playing very well. Nadal led 40-0, only for the the Brit to edge him back with some good returning alongside a couple of errors from the Spaniard.
Evans saved the fourth game point with a great down the line forehand, then he crushed a forehand crosscourt to save the fifth. But Nadal never panicked and he is playing positive, aggressive tennis himself. He found two successive aces to hold off the pressure and move ahead again.
First set: Dan Evans 1-1* Rafael Nadal (GBR 1-0 ESP): This is a great start from Evans, who eases through great hold to 15. He has already made it clear that he is going to attempt to play this match on the front foot. He opened the game with a great serve and volley, then came in behind a huge forehand down the line at 30-15, finishing the point with an easy overhead. Evans held with an ace.
That was about as good as it gets from Evans in his opening service game. Now he just has to do that at least 11 more times!
Updated
First set: Dan Evans *0-1 Rafael Nadal (GBR 1-0 ESP): A comfortable hold from Nadal to begin. He opened with a vicious combination of forehands, forcing an error from Evans’ backhand with a crosscourt bomb. Evans pushed Nadal to 30-30 and punctuated each point by hollering ‘c’mon’ to the skies, but the Spaniard found a huge ace down the T at 30-30, then he sealed the hold with a great serve and volley.
Rafael Nadal leads the head to head 1-0 over Evans after they played for the first time this summer in Montreal. Evans should take heart from his tight 7-6(6) 6-4 loss to Nadal, but the Spaniard was playing in his first match after Wimbledon and he was certainly a bit rusty. He isn’t now. Nadal completely dismantled Diego Schwartzman yesterday and then came back to clinch the doubles. He has now won 29 straight Davis Cup matches for Spain and he last lost for his country in 2005. This is about as tough as it gets.
Updated
Team GB celebrate the first win 🤗@kyle8edmund | @the_LTA #GBRESP #DavisCupMadridFinals #byRakuten pic.twitter.com/rMTpwso2PA
— Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals (@DavisCupFinals) November 23, 2019
Evans and Nadal are out on the court.
In Madrid on a Saturday night and I still can't escape the Proclaimers... Dan McEvans walking out to 500 Miles #DavisCupFinals
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) November 23, 2019
According to Dan Evans in the pre-match interview, he is here to win. Nothing more, nothing less:
It’s not about about anything apart from trying to get the win and hopefully not trying to have the doubles guys come on. That’s all we’re focusing on.
Great Britain's @kyle8edmund had lost 8 consecutive sets in #DavisCup action prior to this week. He has now won 6 consecutive sets in Madrid, and his straight sets victory over Lopez puts the Brits on the brink of a place in the title match.#DavisCupFinals #StatoftheDay
— ITF Media (@ITFMedia) November 23, 2019
Some stat.
That was Feliciano Lopez’ 445th career loss, the most by any ATP player. Surpassed Fabrice Santoro ( 444 )
— Steph Trudel (@TrudelSteph) November 23, 2019
Edmund was understated as usual after the match but he was clearly very pleased:
“When you start off the match in this situation. It’s just a lot of noise, obviously full house tonight and obviously they come to support Feli. I just had to be really, really focused and I got off to a good start.”
Edmund’s stats tonight: 69% first serves in, 74% first serves won, 9 aces, 19(!) forehand winners and 19 unforced errors.
A crucial point for Great Britain with Dan Evans now facing the unenviable task of beating Rafael Nadal for the win. Individually, no matter what happens, Edmund has ensured that he will go into 2020 full of confidence after such a tough season. Impressive resilience from the Brit this week.
Kyle Edmund defeats Feliciano Lopez 6-3 7-6(3)! GBR 1-0 ESP
Edmund comes through a great, essential win to hand Britain the first point today and his third win of the tournament. Another great serving performance from him and he was so clinical in all the complicated moments.
Updated
Second Set: Kyle Edmund 6-3 6-6 (*5-1) Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): Great passing shot from Edmund to take a decisive mini-break, then Lopez badly double faulted at 3-1. After a service winner from the Brit, he will serve two points away from victory.
Second Set: Kyle Edmund 6-3 6-6 Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): We’re off to a tiebreak! Edmund opened his final service game of the set with a nice change, throwing in a rare serve and volley himself and easily dispatching the volley. Then he found a big unreturned first serve for 30-0 and then dealt with a tricky high backhand volley to move up 40-0. He sealed the love hold by breaking down Lopez’s weak forehand and eliciting the error. He should take plenty of confidence from what was perhaps his best hold of the set.
Second Set: Kyle Edmund 6-3 *5-6 Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): Lopez is having no such problems on his own serve. He immediately flitted to 40-15 with some quick big serving and then his 6th ace of the day. On the second game point, he swept into the net behind another big first serve and easily picked off the volley. He’ll do no worse than a tiebreak in this set.
Second Set: Kyle Edmund 6-3 5-5* Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): This has been a tough set on serve for Edmund with plenty of slow starts in his service game. This time, he found himself down 15-40 after spraying a forehand wide.
Edmund saved the first break point with an ace down the T, his 9th of the day, then he slammed down an unreturned wide serve to bring the game to deuce. At deuce, he crushed a whistling forehand down the line winner, then he dismounted with another huge forehand to hold. After such a dire year on the main tour, this man is playing with so much confidence right now. No holding back.
Updated
Second Set: Kyle Edmund 6-3 *4-5 Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): A glorious moment of inspiration from Lopez to dig himself out of a 15-30 hole with aplomb. How did he respond? He found a sweet sliding first serve at 15-30 and swept forward to pick off the volley, then he placed a really nice unreturned second serve into the corner.
But it was on the game point that the magic arrived. Lopez sped into the net and just about managed to land a drop volley off a low, dipping passing shot from Edmund. Edmund chased it down and tried to dink his backhand past Lopez, who threw himself to the ball at full stretch and just about landed the volley past him. He walked to his chair with his fist in the sky.
Updated
Second Set: Kyle Edmund 6-3 4-4* Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): Some great work from the Brit to hold to 30 and put the pressure back on Lopez’s shoulders. He keeps on moving forward when he can and he particularly executed a really nice forehand volley at 30-15, finishing the point with an easy overhead. Lopez took the first game point with a really nice return, but Edmund slammed down a huge inside out forehand winner to keep himself ahead.
Second Set: Kyle Edmund 6-3 *3-4 Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): There has been a small shift in this second set. While Edmund has had to battle through a few tricky holds, Lopez is serving big and finding plenty of quick holds on his serve. This time, he holds to 15 in the blink of an eye.
Second Set: Kyle Edmund 6-3 3-3* Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): Goodness. That was a huge test for Edmund, but he holds from 15-30 down to keep the set on serve. Down 15-30, Edmund found a first serve and Lopez responded with quite a dire attempt at a blocked return.
However, from 30-30 it was all about Edmund. Down to a second serve and with the pressure weighing heavily on his shoulders, Edmund connected with a bomb of a forehand down the line to eradicate the danger. On game point, Lopez chip and charged after a long rally and Edmund found a beautiful angled crosscourt to hold.
Updated
Second Set: Kyle Edmund 6-3 *2-3 Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): Lopez pieces together another solid hold. Edmund opened with a searing backhand down the line passing shot and, whooping towards his team with the hope of driving forward to a decisive break. But Lopez is still serving really well and he eased to a 40-15 lead. Quite a comical drop volley attempt into the net from Lopez on the opening game point, but another big serve keeps him ahead.
Updated
Second Set: Kyle Edmund 6-3 2-2* Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): Good hold. Edmund is still in the zone on his serve and he quickly connected with a couple of serve and forehand combos to move up 30-0. Lopez attempted to change things up by chipping and charging, but Edmund moved to 40-0 by threading a nice down the line backhand passing shot. Edmund held with another big serve and forehand combination.
Meanwhile, Gerard Pique is in the house. He was on double duty today after playing at home for Barcelona against Leganes earlier on. And now he’s back.
Second Set: Kyle Edmund 6-3 *1-2 Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): Lopez slams down an easy love hold to keep himself ahead. He opened with two really nice serve and volley points, confidently dispatching both volleys, and then slammed down a couple of big serves to take the game. He looks a lot more confident now that he is serving well and making some progress on Edmund’s serve, but so too does the Brit.
Second Set: Kyle Edmund 6-3 1-1* Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): A real test for Edmund there after couple of loose errors moved him to at 15-30 deficit. Edmund responded extremely well: he crushed a backhand winner at 15-30, then at 30-30 he thumped a big crosscourt forehand behind a big first serve. He held after a rare long rally, Lopez’s forehand eventually falling limply into the net.
Updated
Second Set: Kyle Edmund 6-3 *0-1 Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): A much better start to this set by Lopez, who holds to 15 with a series of big first serves. He has found a nice rhythm on his serve. If he keeps this up, he will be tougher to break in this set.
Updated
It is fitting that Edmund started that set with an ace and ended with one. His serving has been brilliant throughout this match so far and it has allowed him to swing freely and attack with few nerves. Lopez began to serve better towards the end of the set and his only hope is if it can keep it up and match Edmund’s serving.
First Set: Kyle Edmund 6-3 Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): Kyle Edmund takes the first set to 15, sealed to 15 with his 8th ace.
Edmund’s stats are tremendous: 70% first serves in, 84% of first serves in, 8 aces, 8 forehand winners and just 7 unforced errors.
Updated
First Set: Kyle Edmund *5-3 Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): Some very good serving from Lopez now, who streams through a love hold with a series of unreturned serves. Edmund will now attempt to serve this thing out.
First Set: Kyle Edmund 5-2* Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): No problem for Edmund on serve once again as he moves through a comfortable hold to 15. Lopez opened the game with a good chip and charge on the opening point, forcing a backhand error from Edmund. But it’s clear that he simply cannot hang with Edmund in any of the rallies. Edmund took control, crushing an couple of huge forehands to move up 40-15. He sealed the hold with a big unreturned serve down the T. One game away from the set.
First Set: Kyle Edmund *4-2 Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): Despite his lack of confidence on return, Lopez seems to be finding more belief behind his huge lefty serve as plenty of big serving moved him to 40-0. Edmund edged him back to 40-30 with two quality passing shots, but the Spaniard found a brilliant curling wide serve on the third game point and easily put away the volley. We move on.
Updated
First Set: Kyle Edmund 4-1* Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): Another good hold for Edmund, but this one provided his first test of the day. Edmund looked to be cruising up 40-15 until he just lost a bit of concentration, missing a tight backhand volley at 40-15 then shanking a forehand at 40-30. Great work from the Brit from deuce though, finding two big first serves and two huge forehands behind them to hold.
Across the net, Lopez seemed to be asking his team for advice on which side to guess as he attempted to return Edmund’s serve. Oh dear.
First Set: Kyle Edmund *3-1 Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): A good hold for Lopez to finally get himself on the board. A really nice reflex forehand volley winner at 30-0, then he connected with a really nice crosscourt forehand winner for 40-0. Another double fault from Lopez at 40-0, but he held with his second service winner of the game. Much better serving from the Spaniard there and that may help him settle into the match.
First Set: Kyle Edmund 3-0* Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): Edmund’s tremendous serving continues as he easily holds to consolidate the break with just one points lost on serve. The Brit slammed down his fourth and fifth aces in just two service games, then dismounted with a further service winner. This is already ominous for Lopez, who desperately needs to get on the board here.
Updated
First Set: Kyle Edmund *2-0 Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): Edmund’s start was about as confident as possible, but that was a disastrous opening service game from Lopez. He missed his first volley on the opening point, then Edmund executed a sweet lob to bring up 0-30, then Lopez double faulted for 0-40. After Lopez saved the first break point, Edmund snapped a brilliant crosscourt return winner past the Spaniard as he came steaming into the net.
Updated
First Set: Kyle Edmund 1-0* Feliciano Lopez (GBR 0-0 ESP): That is how you start a Davis Cup semi-final. Edmund opened with three aces in a row, then slipped to the net on the final point and comfortably put away a forehand volley. An easy love hold from Edmund to begin.
Kyle Edmund already had a great opportunity in this first rubber, but on paper it is even bigger now. Although Lopez is the higher-ranked player, that is primarily due to his excellent grass court season, where he shocked himself as well as everyone else by winning Queen’s in both singles and doubles alongside (who else?) Andy Murray. Lopez has been vulnerable on hard courts throughout the year and at 38 years-old he is well aware that the finish line is fast approaching.
On the other hand, Lopez showed at Queen’s that he can still bring an extremely high level at certain moments. These conditions are fast and he will have plenty of chances to move forward and attack the net. This tournament may be Lopez’s last singles opportunity in Davis Cup and the Caja Magica is even more of a home to him than his teammates - he is the tournament director of the Madrid Open played at this stadium. Let’s see what he can bring today.
Some significant news. Feliciano Lopez will take an injured Pablo Carreño Busta’s place in the opening rubber. Lopez and Edmund will be heading out to the court any moment now.
Updated
Here is the official running order for tonight. Due to the late finish, play has been delayed and it seems like the players will be on court in about 45 minutes.
OOP 1530h
— Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals (@DavisCupFinals) November 23, 2019
🇬🇧🆚🇪🇸
Edmund vs Carreno Busta
Evans vs Nadal
Murray/Skupski vs Granollers/Lopez#GBRESP #DavisCupMadridFinals #byRakuten
Denis Shapovalov is very happy:
It’s honestly unbelievable. I’m in a loss of words. It’s incredible how far we’ve come as a squad.
CANADIAN HISTORY. 🍁@denis_shapo and @VasekPospisil defeat Khachanov/Rublev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5), sending Canada into the Davis Cup FINAL with a 2-1 win over Russia.
— Tennis Canada (@TennisCanada) November 23, 2019
It’s a first-ever @DavisCup final for Canada. Wow. pic.twitter.com/XFCK1GRtjh
Canada have reached their first ever Davis Cup Final! Denis Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil defeated Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev 6-3 3-6 7-6(5) to clinch the tightest of 2-1 victories over Russia.
Updated
As we prepare for the evening session, the first semi-final between Canada and Russia is going all the way. After Andrey Rublev defeated Vasek Pospisil 6-4 6-4 and Canada’s Denis Shapovalov responded with a 6-4 4-6 6-4 win over Russia’s Karen Khachanov, they are heading to a third set tiebreak in the deciding doubles rubber.
Updated
Preamble
Hello! Welcome to our coverage of semi-final day at the Davis Cup Finals in Madrid, where Great Britain’s quite nice run of opponents comes to an end. To reach another final, the team will have to beat the brilliant Spanish team on home soil, spearheaded by Rafael Nadal.
Yesterday, Great Britain came through an evenly-matched tie against Germany with two brilliant performance. First, Kyle Edmund produced a majestic display of attacking tennis, bulldozing Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets. Then Dan Evans shook off his opening two losses to see off Jan Lennard Struff, the top ranked singles player of the tie, in a third set tiebreak.
With Rafael Nadal standing across the net against Evans tonight, the key to victory will almost certainly rest on the opening match between Edmund and Pablo Carreño Busta. Carreño has taken Spain’s second singles spot in tragic circumstances after No 9 Roberto Bautista Agut was forced to withdraw from the knockout stages after the death of his father. Carreño, a former top 10 player himself, struggled in yesterday’s three sets loss to Guido Pella. Given the form he has established in his previous two matches, Edmund should like his chances on these fast courts.
Andy Murray will have to settle for a spot on the bench tonight, but after the form showed by his teammates yesterday, he will almost certainly understand that it was the obvious and correct decision. Look forward to plenty of fistpumping from him throughout the evening.
Updated
