By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, April 6, 2018
Rafael Nadal swept Philipp Kohlschreiber, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3, to level Spain's Davis Cup quarterfinal with Germany and score his record 23rd straight Davis Cup victory.
Photo credit: @SpainTenis
On a red clay court inside Valencia's famed bull ring, Rafael Nadal charged into Davis Cup history.
Wearing the red-and-gold, a pumped Nadal made a rousing return rolling past Philipp Kohlschreiber, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3, to level Spain with Germany after opening day of the Davis Cup quarterfinals staged at the Plaza de Toros de Valencia.
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The world No. 1 scored his record 23rd straight Davis Cup victory—the longest Davis Cup winning streak for singles and doubles in history— in his first match since the Australian Open in January.
"It's a great feeling," Nadal told Davis Cup.com afterward. "To play always in the bull stadium is unique—always with very positive feelings. I'm very happy to be back and very happy to be back in front of my crowd and of course the victory that ties the competition."
German No. 1 Alexander Zverev, who had a quick turnaround time after contesting the Miami final on Sunday, staked the Germans to a 1-0 lead defeating David Ferrer, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2, in the opener.
Zverev converted 10 of 15 break points, won 68 percent of points played on Ferrer's second serve and pounded out 13 more backhand winners (16 to 3) in the one hour, 55-minute triumph.
Playing his first match since retiring from the fifth set of the Australian Open quarterfinals with a hip injury, Nadal moved well and dictated play with his forehand.
The 31-year-old Nadal commanded the center of the court and controlled the direction of rallies with his 14. Nadal fired 28 of his 30 winners from his twisting topspin forehand, while Kohlschreiber finished with seven winners.
"Happy to be back on court," Nadal said. "Straight sets, solid match after a while, after being not on court is a great feeling being in front of my crowd so I'm very happy."
Nadal raised his Davis Cup singles record to 23-1; he has not lost a Davis Cup match since a five-set doubles loss to Italy in 2005.
"I'm feeling comfortable again on clay so that's important for me," Nadal said. "To play at home is fantastic—an unforgettable day. Coming back from injury is always difficult; in front of my home crowd a little bit less."
Cruise control through two sets gave way to a bumpy start to the third as Nadal dumped a pair of double faults to donate serve before breaking right back.
Injury-induced inactivity was apparent in some uncharacteristic errors. Nadal showed signs of rust committing eight double faults and missing some forehand sitters.
Nadal sailed a routine mid-court forehand to end the fourth game and hit four double faults in the set.
The 10-time Roland Garros champion combined heavy topspin and acute angles to displace the German. Nadal sent Kohlschreiber corner-to-corner banging out errors to break in the sixth game 32 minutes into the third set.
Slashing a running forehand pass down the line, Nadal spiked a roar from Spanish fans—and teammates Feliciano Lopez, Marc Lopez and Ferrer—as he backed up the break for 5-2.
Kohlschreiber staved off match point holding in the eighth game.
Sliding a serve into his opponent's backhand, Nadal closed in two hours, 33 minutes giving rookie Spanish captain Sergi Bruguera his first victory.
Spain's Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez, the 2016 Roland Garros doubles champions, are scheduled to face Jan-Lennard Struff and Tim Puetz in tomorrow's crucial doubles match though both captains can substitute.
Nadal is slated to face Zverev in a blockbuster reverse singles on Sunday with Ferrer scheduled to play Kohlschreiber in the final singles match, if necessary.
Spain is riding a streak of 26 straight home victories with the team's last defeat on Spanish soil coming against Gustavo Kuerten and Brazil in 1999.
The winner of this quarterfinal advances to the September 14-16th semifinals against either Italy or defending Davis Cup champion France.