Spain seal Davis Cup glory
Spain have retained the Davis Cup after moving into an unassailable 3-0 lead over Czech Republic with a win in the doubles rubber.
Their fourth victory in the competition was confirmed when Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco combined to beat Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek 7-6 (9-7) 7-5 6-2.
Spain had already moved into a 2-0 lead after Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer both emerged triumphant in their singles matches on Friday.
It means the hosts have successfully defended the crown they won for the third time in Argentina last year, becoming in the process the first nation to defend the Davis Cup since Sweden in 1998.
The victory triggered scenes of jubilation in Barcelona, Verdasco and Lopez both collapsing to the court before joining their team-mates in a victory huddle.
The first two sets of the contest at the Palau Sant Jordi were very tight, but having edged both the Spaniards pulled away in the third as they closed out both the match and the tie.
It was Spain who claimed the first break of the encounter four games in, but the Czechs hit straight back and the set then stayed on serve as a tie-break ensued.
Commanding lead
The Spanish duo forged into a commanding 6-3 lead, but again the Czechs fought back and after taking two points against the serve found themselves with a set-point.
But they could not convert and Spain subsequently made them pay as they took their chance at the fourth time of asking following a superb rally.
It was Verdasco who was the key player in the only break of the second set as the Spaniards fought back from 40-0 down at 5-5 with five successive points – Lopez then wrapped up the set with an ace.
The third set began in dream fashion for the hosts with a break, and they simply piled the pressure on their beleaguered opponents, breaking again after a lengthy fifth game.
Stepanek held his nerve serving to stay in the match at 1-5 but Spain did not have long to wait, Lopez serving out to give the hosts their fourth Davis Cup crown in 10 years.
After confirming victory in the doubles, a delighted Lopez said: “To win the Davis Cup is always a special feeling at home and even more than last year in Argentina.
“The key was we played a great game. We never doubted for one minute.”
Costa delighted
Spanish captain Albert Costa, who won the cup as a player in 2000, predicted his team would continue to dominate the competition, stating: “I don’t think this team has any limits. The only worry we can have is maybe motivation.”
Berdych was gracious in defeat but also proud of his country’s achievement in reaching the final, commenting: “They deserved to win this tie. We were second in almost all the things that happened on the court today.
“We are very happy with this season because we have come to the final after so many years.
“Spain were very strong, very tough. I have to congratulate the Spanish team for their victory.”
The reverse singles will still be played on Sunday despite the result already having been decided, although the format will revert to best of three sets.