Here's what Botic van de Zandschulp had to say following his victory over Rafael Nadal:

"At the beginning I think we were both nervous. The first games didn't go smoothly. The crowd was tough, understandably.

"That is what it is to play against Rafa in Spain. He is probably the biggest sportsman in Spain to have ever lived.

"I have to say it is tough to close out a match against him, knowing it could be his last. I felt I was hoping a bit more than going for it. I went for it and it helped in the end."

On the support from the Dutch supporters in the crowd, he added: "It was unbelievable. I needed it. There were too many people from Spain here cheering for him.

"If I was sat at the side of the court I would have been cheering for him too."

Rafael Nadal returns to the court with his arms aloft to say a big thank you to the crowd, who backed him all the way out there.

Carlos Alcaraz takes on Tallon Griekspoor in the next singles match, hoping to set up a doubles decider later in the evening.

Botic van de Zandschulp has his first match point for the Netherlands.

Rafael Nadal is relieved to see Botic van de Zandschulp miss the line at the end of a rally which the Spaniard long appeared in control of.

Carlos Alcaraz has made his way out to watch potentially the final points of his childhood hero's career - but Nadal is able to fight back to 30-30.

Rafael Nadal brings his hands up to his face after missing the line, convinced he should have made that one.

It's not the start he needed and another miss leaves Botic van de Zandschulp two points from giving the Netherlands a 1-0 lead.

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Here we go then. It's break or bust for Rafael Nadal in potentially the final match of his career.

Botic van de Zandschulp can see the finish line as he moves 15-30 up but, despite getting a look at a second serve, hits long.

It's all the encouragement Rafael Nadal needs. The Spaniard produces a couple of powerful serves to stay in touch.

One last chance.

The Dutch supporters find their voice again as Botic van de Zandschulp closes in on victory.

He takes the opening point and Rafael Nadal pauses for a moment before taking his next serve.

Botic van de Zandschulp finds a series of timely first serves to relieve the pressure and move within one game of victory.

At 0-30 Rafael Nadal had a big opportunity - but his opponent didn't give him anything from there.

The Spanish crowd continue to cheer both Rafael Nadal's successes and Botic van de Zandschulp's misfortune.

The Dutchman double-faults on his opening point, and the noise levels increase further as Nadal edges to 0-30.

Vamosssss! The Spanish flags are being waved passionately in the stands as Rafael Nadal slams a forehand winner away to hold serve and pull back within striking distance of Botic van de Zandschulp in set two.

Still fighting, until the end.

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Reality strikes after that period of Rafael Nadal resurgence as Botic van de Zandschulp reaches break point - but Nadal comes up with a crucial volley to reach deuce and keep the crowd believing.

What a difference one game can make. The scoreboard remains heavily against Rafael Nadal but there is a feeling in the crowd, based on seeing this sort of drama from their hero over the past two decades, that he is far from done here.

The momentum appears to have switched as Nadal moves 30-0 up on serve, but consecutive double faults by the Spaniard brings the volume down a touch.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport in Malaga

The home fans are starting to cheer Van de Zandschulp missing first serves.

That ain't tennis.

Even Nadal is irritated by that and tells them to show some respect.

Rafael Nadal has his first break of the contest to send the crowd into a frenzy!

The Spaniard has so much work still to do to get Spain off to a winning start here, but seeing their hero display his famed fighting spirit for potentially one last time is what many have come to see today.

Rafael Nadal hasn't given up hope on this just yet and the Spaniard is getting his reward - but he just can't quite take the big opportunities that are falling his way.

Nadal nets on his second break point - but he's going to have a third!

Huge, huge moments. And here comes the Spanish crowd once more. They certainly aren't ready for this to be over either!

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport in Malaga

Now the Spanish fans have a glimmer of hope.

The break point to Nadal see loads climb to their feet, fanning their red and yellow flags like matadors.

It's not their hero known as the Raging Bull who they wake though.

It's Van de Zandschulp.

Botic van de Zandschulp displays his athleticism with excellent court coverage to eventually beat Rafael Nadal with a delicate knock over the net to rescue the break point.

But Nadal, perhaps with the pressure off after falling a second break behind in this second set, lands another superb winner to deny the Dutchman on game point.

Botic van de Zandschulp is giving Rafael Nadal no encouragement here. Another accurate forehand helps the Dutchman to 30-0 as he closes in on victory.

Hold on!

Rafael Nadal is hitting a bit more freely now and makes his way to a first break point...

Image source, Getty Images