Tennis:Spain successfully defended the Davis Cup when victory over the Czech Republic in doubles gave them an unassailable 3-0 lead in the final in Barcelona.
Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco teamed up to post a 7-6 (9/7) 7-5 6-2 victory over Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek, the Czech pair suffering defeat for the first time in Davis Cup play.
It was a tight contest for two sets but having lost both, the Czechs finally wilted in the third as Spain clinched victory to spark jubilant scenes in the Palau Sant Jordi - Verdasco and Lopez collapsing to the court before joining their team-mates in a victory huddle.
Leading 2-0 after Friday's singles, Spain secured the first break of the doubles. However, Berdych and Stepanek broke straight back and held serve all the way to the tie-break on the indoor clay surface.
Stepanek is one of the few players on the ATP Tour who still plays a serve-volley game and his skill at the net proved a useful asset for the Czechs.
Lopez is also a decent volleyer, though, and, combined with the power of Verdasco, helped the hosts to a 6-3 lead in the tie-break.
But the Czechs hit back to level and then two points against the serve gave them a set point. But they could not take it and, when Spain engineered another chance, they did not miss, coming out on top after a superb rally.
Verdasco has a particular affinity for the Davis Cup after his five-set victory over Jose Acasuso last year clinched the trophy for Spain in their 3-1 win over Argentina.
That comeback triumph in a hostile atmosphere in Mar del Plata has often been credited as the spark for Verdasco's breakthrough this year, the 26-year-old reaching the Australian Open semi-finals and becoming a fixture in the top 10.
He failed to win a match on his debut at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London last week but was inspired on this occasion, the weight of his shot frequently proving too much for the Czech pair.
And it was Verdasco who was the key player in the only break of the second set, as the Spaniards fought back from 40-0 down at 5-5 with five successive points. Lopez then wrapped up the set with an ace.
The third set began in dream fashion for the hosts with a break, and they simply piled the pressure on their beleaguered opponents, breaking again after a lengthy fifth game.
Stepanek held his nerve serving to stay in the match at 1-5 but Spain did not have long to wait, Lopez serving out to clinch the cup.
With Lopez and Verdasco teaming up for the crucial point, it meant all four members of the Spanish team had earned a win for their side.
Rafael Nadal had won Friday's opening singles rubber against Berdych before David Ferrer fought back from two sets down to beat Stepanek in a thrilling second match.
The win means Spain become the first team to defend the trophy since Sweden did so in 1998. It is also the fourth time Spain have won the trophy this decade, having also won in 2000 and 2004.