Nadal's magic lifts Spain into final

Spanish clay master Rafael Nadal put his exertions at the US Open firmly behind him when he thrashed France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-0, 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday.

Spanish clay master Rafael Nadal put his exertions at the US Open firmly behind him when he thrashed France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-0, 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday to set up a Davis Cup final at home with Argentina.

The burly Tsonga had helped France to victory in Saturday's doubles to keep the best of five tie alive but was powerless against Nadal's relentless claycourt game as the world number two claimed his 17th win in 18 Davis Cup singles matches.

The victory gave Spain, who are bidding for a third title in four years, an unassailable 3-1 lead in the world group semi-final in Cordoba before Fernando Verdasco beat Richard Gasquet 6-2 6-1 in a shortened final singles rubber.

"Rafa just played unbelievable," Tsonga said after the match.

After losing both singles in Belgrade on Friday, Serbia took Saturday's doubles to maintain their hopes of defending the title they won last year with a 3-2 victory over the French.

However, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic retired from his match against Juan Martin Del Potro with a rib and lower back injury to hand Argentina the tie.

Bad light holds up Switzerland
Sydney: Fading light forced the suspension of the Australia-Switzerland Davis Cup World Group playoff on Sunday with Lleyton Hewitt and Stanislas Wawrinka into the final set of the deciding match.

Switzerland's Wawrinka led 5-3 in the fifth set when the match referee decided it was too dark to continue. The two players will come back on Monday to complete the match, with Wawrinka leading 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (7/9), 6-4, 5-3.

Roger Federer earlier levelled the best-of-five tie at 2-2.