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Rafael Nadal clinched an emotional Davis Cup victory for Spain when he beat Denis Shapovalov in front of a jubilant home crowd in Madrid.
His 6-3 7-6 (9-7) win sealed the title, with Roberto Bautista Agut returning to the team three days after his father’s death to put the hosts 1-0 up.
Bautista Agut was in tears after beating 19-year-old Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 in the opener.
Nadal’s win gave Spain an unassailable 2-0 lead and a sixth Davis Cup title.
The world number one has won all eight of his rubbers this week to help Spain to a first title since 2011 and ensure local fans were celebrating a the end of the inaugural edition of the competition’s revamped version.
Bautista Agut puts aside grief to deliver for Spain
While Nadal’s victory settled the title, it was Bautista Agut’s performance so soon after his bereavement that heightened the emotions.
Bautista Agut went home on Thursday after his father was taken ill. The Spanish federation later announced the player’s dad had died.
But the world number nine returned to Madrid to watch his team-mates beat Great Britain in the semi-finals on Saturday before being recalled for the final.
The 31-year-old, whose mother died last year, pointed to the sky after claiming victory when Auger-Aliassime went wide on the first of three match points.
He hugged his captain Sergi Bruguera before leaping into the arms of his delighted team-mates in the stands.
“It was very special feeling on the court and I just could go out to try my best, give my best,” he told Eurosport.
“I am very happy I could win the first point for Spain.”
Auger-Aliassime was playing his first match at the revamped tournament this week after an ankle injury, with Canada reaching their first final by using just the same two players in all of their singles and doubles matches – Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil.
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