Nadal and Ferrer put Spain close to Davis Cup victory

SPAIN are just one win from defending their Davis Cup title after a commanding Rafael Nadal victory and an epic win by David Ferrer in Barcelona.

HOME HERO: Rafael Nadal won but it was team-mate David Ferrer who was the star of the show in Spain's Davis Cup final in Barcelona (Getty Images)

Nadal got Spain off to a winning start but it was Ferrer who was the hero at the Palau Sant Jordi, as the hosts put themselves in pole position to become the first country since Sweden, 11 years ago, to win back-to-back Davis Cup titles.

In last year's final Ferrer lost in straight sets against Argentina's David Nalbandian and he made the worst possible start in his match against Radek Stepanek.

The big-serving Czech won the first two sets at a canter - Ferrer, selected ahead of Fernando Verdasco for the second singles rubber, winning just three games in a faltering performance.

But inspired by a partisan home crowd, the world number 18 roared back to clinch a famous 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 8-6 victory, secured in well over four hours.

Nadal bounced back from his woeful performances at last week's ATP World Tour Finals, where he failed to win a single match or set, with a thumping win over Thomas Berdych.

The world number two had lost his last four encounters with his Czech rival but ended that streak when it really mattered.

He was just two points from losing a close first set .  However, after that, he didn't put a foot wrong, securing a straight sets 7-5, 6-0, 6-2 victory.

"I was nervous," admitted Nadal, who made no secret victory this weekend was the priority, following his early exit from last week's ATP Tour showpiece in London.

"Winning that first set was the key.  After that, everything changed and I found some depth to my game that I was missing.

"I really felt the public behind me and that certainly helped.  I started to feel much more confident, like I normally do when I play on clay."

Victories for Nadal and Ferrer mean Spain could complete victory - and secure their third Davis Cup title in a decade - before Sunday's concluding and reverse singles rubbers.

Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez are due to play for the hosts against Czech partnership Lukas Dlouhy and Jan Halek.

However, team captains Albert Costa and Jaroslav Navratil can alter their line-ups up to one hour prior to the match.