Rafael Nadal buried the disappointment of his US Open loss to put Spain within reach of the Davis Cup final.
But champion Serbia is facing elimination after an injury blow ruled out world number one Novak Djokovic.
Nadal, defeated by Djokovic in the US Open final on Tuesday (AEST), thrashed Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-0, 6-1 before David Ferrer defeated Gilles Simon 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 at the Cordoba bullring, as Spain led France 2-0 in their semi-final.
In Belgrade, where Serbia was facing Argentina, Djokovic was pulled from his scheduled clash against David Nalbandian, blaming fatigue and a back injury he suffered in the brutal final in New York.
Nalbandian defeated Victor Troicki, who replaced Djokovic, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 before former US Open winner Juan Martin Del Potro eased past Janko Tipsarevic 7-5, 6-3, 6-4, his third career win over the Serb, as the South Americans also led 2-0.
Victory for four-time champion Spain and Argentina, which is yet to win a Davis Cup, in the doubles will guarantee them places in the final.
Nadal had admitted to tiredness after his US Open final defeat but said that "if I come, it is above all to defend my country."
He gave Gasquet no chance in 30 degrees Celsius heat, breaking the Frenchman at the first time of asking and never giving his rival the hint of a chance before an enthusiastic 10,000 crowd.
"Even tired Nadal remains an exceptional player," said Gasquet, who has now lost all his 10 meetings with the Spaniard.
"I couldn't find a way past him. It's a painful defeat."
In other World Group play-offs ties, the Czech Republic was 2-0 ahead of Romania, with Japan 2-0 up on India and Italy 2-0 to the good against Chile.
Russia against Brazil, Croatia versus South Africa and Austria and Belgium were all level at 1-1.
AFP
Tags: tennis, sport, spain First posted September 17, 2011 16:34:01
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