Spain wins Davis Cup - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Spain wins Davis Cup

By STEPHEN WADE, AP Sports Writer 06/12/2004 06:12:43 AM Comments (0)

Spain has won the Davis Cup final over the United States, clinching the best-of-five series when Carlos Moya beat Andy Roddick 6-2, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (5) for the American star's second loss in this final.

Moya's decisive victory put the home country ahead 3-1. American Mardy Fish beat Tommy Robredo 7-6 (8), 6-2 in an inconsequential fifth match, leaving Spain with a 3-2 victory before a sellout crowd of 27,200 that included Prince Felipe, heir to the Spanish throne.

"The Davis Cup is my dream," Moya said. "I can't ask for more. There is nothing bigger than what I've lived today."

This was the second Davis Cup championship for Spain, and its third final in five seasons. The Americans were shooting for their 32nd title and first in nine years.

Moya took the match when Roddick netted a backhand off the Spaniard's serve. Moya dropped to his back on the red clay, and Prince Felipe leaped from his chair with a two-fisted salute. Moya raced over and reached up to shake the Prince's hand and that of his wife, Princess Letizia.

Roddick needed to win both his singles matches in this round for the Americans to have a chance. Instead, the No. 2 player in the world dropped both, losing in four sets Friday to 18-year-old Rafael Nadal. The United States won Saturday's doubles, thanks to twins Mike and Bob Bryan.

Only one team has come back from trailing 2-0 in the Davis Cup final - Australia in 1939 against the Americans.

Spain won its first Davis Cup four years ago in Barcelona over Australia. The win over the United States was Spain's 12th straight at home in Davis Cup play.

"This has been incredible - the moment I've been waiting for," said Moya, who missed Spain's first title in 2000 because of injury. "I've prepared myself for this day. I knew that playing on clay I would have my chances to win."

Moya, who had lost three times before to Roddick - it was their first match on clay - played the match of his life. His steady groundstrokes kept Roddick back, and he frequently mixed in a deft drop shot. When he tried to come in, Moya lobbed shots over his head or passed him.

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