04 December 2004	Saturday	21 Shawwal 1425

SEVILLE, Dec 3: Teenager Rafael Nadal battled back from a set down to destroy world number two Andy Roddick 6-7 (6/8), 6-2, 7-6 (8/6), 6-2 to give Spain a 2-0 lead in the Davis Cup final on Friday.

Nadal, 18, also saved a set point in the third set tie-break against the American before going on to wrap up victory after 3hr 38min. Earlier, Carlos Moya eased past Mardy Fish 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 in jst 1hr 57min to set Spain, playing on their favourite slow clay surface, on their way.

Aside from a swift exchange of breaks in the opening set, world number five Moya, French Open champion in 1998, was untroubled as he swept to victory against an opponent whose achievements on clay amount to a solitary quarterfinal showing on US green clay in Houston.

Nadal has a chance to wrap up the final on Saturday when he is due to partner Tommy Robredo in the doubles against twins Bob and Mike Bryan although the teenager could be rested after his heroics on Friday.

Fish had a break point in the fourth game of the third set but could not convert and Moya was able to allow a first match point to elude his grasp as his rival hit long, allowing the Spaniard to complete the job at the second time time of asking.

Nadal had been called in to replace Juan Carlos Ferrero who has endured an injury-plagued season. The Spanish youngster lost his only previous meeting with Roddick in straight sets at this year's US Open.

FINAL RESULTS

Spain 2 United States 0

Carlos Moya (SPA) bt Mardy Fish (USA) 6-4, 6-2, 6-3

Rafael Nadal (SPA) bt Andy Roddick (USA) 6-7 (6/8), 6-2, 7-6 (8/6), 6-2

SATURDAY:

DOUBLES

Rafael Nadal/Tommy Robredo (SPA) v Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan (USA)

SUNDAY

Carlos Moya (SPA) v Andy Roddick (USA)

Rafael Nadal (SPA) v Mardy Fish (USA). -Reuters