US Open champion Rafael Nadal powers Spain to 2-0 Davis Cup lead

Rafael Nadal made a perfect transition from hard courts to clay when he defeated Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine 6-0, 6-0, 6-4 to give Spain a notable 2-0 lead in their Davis Cup World Group playoff in Madrid on Friday.

According to Sport24, Nadal put Spain firmly in control following Fernando Verdasco's 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 success against Ukrainian number one Alexandr Dolgopolov in the opening singles rubber.

Turning out for his country only four days after his US Open triumph in New York, the world number two showed no sign of fatigue or sympathy for his 92nd-ranked opponent as he dismantled the hapless Stakhovsky in devastating fashion at the futuristic 'Magic Box' venue, the report said.

Stakhovsky, who caused a sensation at Wimbledon this year when he beat seven-times champion Roger Federer in the second round, raised his arms and was given a rousing cheer when he won the opening game of the third set, the report added.

Nadal said that it was not the ideal thing to change surfaces in a couple of days but it was always special for him to play on clay as it was a surface he loved.

Spain need one more point for victory in the best-of-five tie and could wrap things up in Saturday's doubles as they bid to preserve their place in the elite World Group, the report further said.