Seville, Spain: Rafael Nadal returned to the comfort of clay and his best play followed as he gave Spain a 1-0 lead over Argentina in the Davis Cup final by dispatching Juan Monaco 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 on Friday.
Nadal broke Monaco seven times at Olympic Stadium, and four-time champion Spain looked to take command of the final when David Ferrer faced Juan Martin del Potro in the second singles rubber late on Friday.
Monaco held his first service game but Nadal took control by winning the next seven games. The six-time French Open champion dominated many of the long rallies, which often ended with Nadal hitting a winner or Monaco making an error.
"The best part of my game was I didn't make mistakes," Nadal said. "The most important thing is we're up 1-0. We're confident David can make it 2-0."
In front of about 27,000 spectators including King Juan Carlos, Nadal looked nothing like the player who struggled in the ATP World Tour Finals in London last week when he admitted to feeling less passionate about the game.
"Nothing is natural. It takes a lot of practice," the second-ranked Nadal said of making the transition between surfaces. "I'm really happy, this is a very important victory for me."
Nadal hasn't dropped a set in Davis Cup in three years, and improved his record to 19-1 in singles and 12-0 on clay.
Monaco struggled to repel Nadal as the Spaniard converted the first of 14 break chances with a forehand passing shot for a 2-1 lead.
"I was a little nervous at the start but after I broke him, I started playing well," Nadal said.
Nadal's impressive selection of winners - he hit 26 in all - kept Monaco off-kilter during many long rallies as Nadal cruised through to the second set, and a remarkable fourth game. The 10-time Grand Slam champ sprinted across the court repeatedly to keep balls in play before curling a backhand down the line for the point.
"Sometimes you can hit two bad shots in a row and still steal the point," Nadal said of why he's so strong on clay. "That's one of my best things on clay, while on hard indoor if I hit two bad shots in a row the point is done. Clay gives me a chance to play more relaxed."
In the third set, the fifth game even drew King Juan Carlos out of his seat to applaud. Monaco fell into the net to give Nadal a break chance, and the Argentine was again in the clay after a lengthy exchange that closed with a Nadal smash at the net for 3-2. Monaco had his left wrist taped and carried a bloodied left knee.
Nadal, who didn't drop a point on his second serve and scored 89 total points to Monaco's 52, closed out the match in 2 hours, 27 minutes when Monaco netted a backhand for his 43rd unforced error.
"I felt like I was playing well but, frankly, it's Rafa Nadal," said Monaco, playing in his first final against one of his best friends. "Where can you win a point off this kid, is what you're left wondering a lot of the time.
"From the very first moment he was solid, he always recovered his positioning. With any other player, the point ends much sooner. He didn't give me any chances."
Spain hasn't lost on clay for 22 ties, including a record 20 straight on home soil dating to 1999 as it vies for its third title in four years.
Argentina is vying for its first Davis Cup trophy in its fourth final.
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