Spain are through to the semi-finals of the ATP Cup after beating Belgium in a deciding doubles match. Two nations went into the match level after Rafael Nadal was beaten by David Goffin in the singles.
Belgium then threatened a major upset when the duo of Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen won the first set in a tiebreak.
But Nadal and Pablo Carreno Busta fought back to break late in the second set and force a match tie-break.
Then in the 10-point shoot out, Spain were the more composed and they took it 10-7 to set up a semi-final against Australia on Saturday evening in Sydney.
Carreno Busta said: “It was really tough to play today.
“It is never easy to play my first match here but we try all the time, we tried every point.
“At the beginning of the match I missed a lot of returns but with Rafa on the other side it is always easier.”
The match finished in the early hours of the morning which gives Spain little time to prepare for their match with Australia.
But Nadal gave credit to the Belgian’s for pushing them all the way.
He said: “Tough because for us it was a big change from Perth to here. Not too much time to adapt.
“The conditions here have been very heavy, big humidity and playing against big players against David in singles and then the doubles is always a very difficult thing.
“They’ve been here for 10 days, for us it’s the first day. Well done for them, they played a great tie, a great level of tennis. I tried my best in the singles.
“It wasn’t possible but we were able to win the doubles as a team and we’re super happy to be in the semi-finals.”
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