体坛英语新闻：Spain wins Davis Cup for 3rd time

MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Spain lifted its third Davis Cup on Sunday, when Fernando Verdasco beat Argentine Jose Acasuso in five sets to secure a 3-1 win in the city of Mar del Plata, at the south of Buenos Aires.

Verdasco, who is number 16 of the world ranking, overcame Acasuso (48) 6-3, 6-7 (3), 4-6, 6-3 and 6-1 in three hours and 56 minutes on the indoors court in the municipal sports center "IslasMalvinas."

    Spain had won the "Silver Bowl" in 2000 and 2004, in both occasions as hosts, while Argentina has never won the tournament.

Spain team celebrate with the trophy during the awarding ceremony of the Davis Cup World Group Final held at Mar del Plata, Argentina, on Nov. 23, 2008. Spain's Fernando Verdasco won the fourth game against Argentina's Jose Acasuso by 3-2 and Spain claimed the title of the event by 3-1 in total.

    The Argentine team was forced to end an unbeatable streak for on home soil since its last defeat as host to Slovakia in 1998, after it won 13 series.

    Spanish team had to played without their world number one Rafael Nadal, who was out of the competition due to an injure in his right knee.

    During the game on Sunday, Verdasco was off to a better start and gave no chance to Acasuso before he took the opening set.

    The Argentine player clawed back two sets but was met with Verdasco's strong resurgence.

    The audience recognized the triumph and greeted the winners, at the same time that acclaimed Acasuso.

    Spain played in six Davis Cup finals and lost three times to Australia (1965,1967 and 2003) as guests.

    The Davis Cup final began on Friday with the Argentina's victory through David Nalbandian who eased past David Ferrer (12) 6-3, 6-2 and 6-3 before Feliciano Lopez leveled the score at 1-1 by surprising Del Potro by 4-6, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4) and 6-3.

  On Saturday, in the doubles, Verdasco-Lopez won over Nalbandian-Agustin Calleri 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (5) and 6-3.