MAR DEL PLATA (Argentina), Nov 24: Spain overcame the absence of world number one Rafael Nadal to win the Davis Cup for the third time on Sunday when Fernando Verdasco beat Jose Acasuso to give them a 3-1 win over Argentina in the final.

Verdasco, brought in to replace Spain’s off-form number one David Ferrer, won 6-3, 6-7, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 to hand Argentina their third defeat in three final appearances and their first home loss for 10 years.

Verdasco had himself been overlooked for Friday’s opening singles but earned himself a chance by winning Saturday’s doubles alongside Feliciano Lopez.

Acasuso, ranked 48th, was thrown into the fray after Argentina’s number one Juan Martin del Potro was ruled out with a pulled muscle in his right leg which he suffered in Friday’s defeat to Lopez.

“It’s a dream. I’ve wanted this chance since I was a boy, few get it and even fewer take it,” said an elated Verdasco.

Argentina, whose unbeaten home run stretched back 13 matches, had begun as firm favourites but their chances nose-dived when Del Potro was surprisingly beaten by Lopez on Friday and injured his leg in the process.

A win in Saturday’s doubles then put the visitors in the driving seat and the news that Del Potro would not play on Sunday was another blow.

The International Tennis Federation said the dead fifth rubber would not be played.

Acasuso started nervously and lost his serve in the fifth game after three unforced errors in quick succession.

The Argentine had his first break point in the ninth game but Verdasco saved it and took the set when Acasuso overhit two shots in a row.

Acasuso made a confident start to the second set and broke serve in the second game, helped by two double faults from his opponent.

After three breaks of serve in a row between the seventh and ninth games, the set went to a tiebreak but Acasuso always had his nose in front and levelled the match when Verdasco ended a long rally by sending a backhand into the net.

Acasuso was by now playing some excellent tennis, producing a brilliant drive from the back of the court from a Verdasco smash and an inspired crosscourt shot as he broke twice in a row at the start of the third set.

Verdasco replied with a break of his own in between and levelled the set in the eighth game when Acasuso sent an easy volley into the net and followed it with a smash.

But the Argentine broke back in the ninth game and wrapped up the set when Verdasco, having saved two set points, hit the ball out after a long rally.

At this point, it looked as if Acasuso could take the tie to a decisive rubber involving Nalbandian which would have left the hosts as favourites.

Instead, Acasuso went to pieces after Verdasco broke in the sixth game of the fourth set to level the match.

With his opponent looking tired and demoralised, Verdasco strolled through the final set, wrapping up the match with a rasping forehand down the line.

“In the Davis Cup, you have to fight to the death and you always have to keep your hope of winning. This mental strength helped me win the match,” Verdasco said.

Collated results:

Played on Sunday: Fernando Verdasco (Spain) bt Jose Acasuso (Argentina) 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Played on Saturday: Feliciano Lopez/Fernando Verdasco (Spain) bt Agustin Calleri/David Nalbandian (Argentina) 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.

Played on Friday: Feliciano Lopez (Spain) bt Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina) 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-4), 6-3; David Nalbandian (Argentina) bt David Ferrer (Spain) 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.—Reuters