Rafael Nadal's career ends as Spain lose 2-1 to the Netherlands in Davis Cup
Nadal lost 6-4 6-4 to Van de Zandschulp in what was last match of his career
Carlos Alcaraz beat Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 to level tie
But Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers lost 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-3) to Wesley Koolhof and Botic van de Zandschulp in deciding doubles
22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal announced impending retirement earlier in year
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.
Van de Zandschulp 6-4 4-2 Nadal*
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.
*Van de Zandschulp 6-4 4-1 Nadal
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.
*Van de Zandschulp 6-4 4-1 Nadal
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.
*Van de Zandschulp 6-4 4-1 Nadal
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 ImagesJonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport in Malaga
The atmosphere has fallen flat. As flat as a Dutch pancake.
The Spanish came to party but Van de Zandschulp has come to spoil it.
Occasionally we have seen a bit of fizz on the famous Nadal forehand, but not enough to push his opponent deeper in the court.
The shorter balls have allowed the Dutchman, ranked 80th now but with a career-high of 22nd in 2022, to pick off the 22-time major champion.
*Van de Zandschulp 6-4 4-1 Nadal
But it's just proving too good from Botic van de Zandschulp today.
The Dutchman makes a stunning cross-court forehand to seize the break - and that could be that.
Image source, Getty ImagesVan de Zandschulp 6-4 3-1 Nadal*
What a serve, just when he needed it!
The relief is evident in Nadal's reaction, a big swing of the fist following after he buys himself a bit more time in this game.
Van de Zandschulp 6-4 3-1 Nadal*
The crowd once again get behind Rafael Nadal in a moment of need as the Spaniard falls 15-30 behind on serve.
Nadal rises to the calls of 'Rafa' by crashing an overhead down to restore parity, but a poor miss at the net gifts Botic van de Zandschulp a break point.
This could be the match for the Dutchman.
Van de Zandschulp 6-4 3-1 Nadal*
Rafael Nadal is eager to maintain his momentum and edges out to 0-30, but Botic van de Zandschulp recovers impressively to hold serve and keep himself on track.
Nadal is beginning to run out of opportunities to strike back now - but you just can never quite rule him out...
Rafael Nadal says he is "not worried about the next chapter" in his life as he prepares for life after tennis.
Here's what he had to say on his feelings around his retirement.
I am not worried about the next chapter - Nadal of retirement
*Van de Zandschulp 6-4 2-1 Nadal
It's pure, brilliant Rafael Nadal!
The legs may not be able to do what they once could, but Rafael Nadal's fight and desire has not diminished one bit.
In a high-stakes game, the Spaniard stays in a rally with a stunning volley as he's running back to the baseline and digs deep long enough to see his opponent falter first.
It's followed by perhaps the loudest cheers of the night so far. Can that ignite Nadal?
Van de Zandschulp 6-4 2-0 Nadal*
Rafael Nadal unleashes a huge 'Vamos' as he beats Botic van de Zandschulp with a clever slice to reach game point but he's hauled back to deuce by the Dutchman, who draws the Spaniard in before closing with a volley.
Nadal gets a second chance but Van de Zandschulp is just refusing to go away and holds firm in a 17-shot exchange.
Van de Zandschulp 6-4 2-0 Nadal*
The home crowd recognise the importance of this latest game for Rafael Nadal, who knows he must stop the run of games against him here to stand a chance of clawing his way back into this contest.
Botic van de Zandschulp isn't showing any signs of allowing his level to drop, however, and levels at 30-30.
Van de Zandschulp 6-4 2-0 Nadal*
Four games in a row for Botic van de Zandschulp becomes five and the Dutchman is in firm control of this one now.
It's the Dutch supporters making all the noise as the Dutchman makes his way back from 15-30, a couple of powerful first serves putting him on track for a straight-set victory.
*Van de Zandschulp 6-4 1-0 Nadal
Argh! Rafael Nadal is in position to make a volley at the net but frustratingly goes wide to hand over a break point.
There's no coming back from there for Nadal either. Botic van de Zandschulp seizes his opportunity to hit the front with an early break in set two.
A lot of work for Nadal to do from here.
Van de Zandschulp 6-4 0-0 Nadal*
It's Rafael Nadal serving first in set two, but immediately Botic van de Zandschulp is applying pressure.
Nadal responds to the crowd's deafening support by landing a wonderful volley as he turns the game in his favour, but Van de Zandschulp crashes a return into the corner for deuce.
Huge points ahead here for Nadal.
Van de Zandschulp 6-4 0-0 Nadal*
What has Rafael Nadal got in the tank?
You can bet he will leave it all out there on the court. The question is whether it is going to be enough to get Spain off to a winning start in this best-of-three contest.
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport in Malaga
Picking Nadal is starting to feel like a gamble which isn't going to pay off for Spanish captain David Ferrer.
Nadal and Ferrer both insisted yesterday that the Davis Cup wasn't the place to be swayed by sentiment. Spain are here to win it.
Nadal, whose last competitive outing was a mauling by Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympics, said he would only play if Ferrer felt he was ready.
The captain clearly did feel he was but, on the evidence so far, it seems misjudged against a player of Van de Zandschulp's ability.