Summary

  • Spain 1-1 Netherlands in the Davis Cup Finals in Rafael Nadal's final tournament

  • Coming up: Carlos Alcaraz/Marcel Granollers v Wesley Koolhof/Botic van de Zandschulp in deciding doubles

  • Nadal loses 6-4 6-4 to Van de Zandschulp in what could be the last match of his career

  • But Alcaraz beats Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 to level tie

  • Winner of best-of-three tie advances to Friday's semi-final

  • 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal will retire at end of competition

  • Nadal has won four previous Davis Cup titles with Spain

  1. Postpublished at 18:35 Greenwich Mean Time

    Griekspoor v Alcaraz

    A warm reception from the Malaga crowd for Carlos Alcaraz, who raises a single arm to wave his appreciation.

    The Spaniard bounces onto the court energetically. He wins the coin toss and chooses to let Tallon Griekspoor serve first.

  2. Postpublished at 18:32 Greenwich Mean Time

    Griekspoor v Alcaraz

    We can see Carlos Alcaraz lining up in the tunnel, ready to walk out on court behind Tallon Griekspoor.

    Spain's captain, David Ferrer, is nattering away to the world number three with some final words of advice.

    Here they come...

  3. Postpublished at 18:30 Greenwich Mean Time

    Griekspoor v Alcaraz

    Spain's Davis Cup hopes - and the chance of another Rafael Nadal appearance - rests on the shoulders of Carlos Alcaraz now.

    Alcaraz won the French Open and Wimbledon this year, but his season has fizzled out slightly and he failed to reach the knockout stages of the season-ending ATP Finals earlier this month.

  4. Postpublished at 18:27 Greenwich Mean Time

    Jonathan Jurejko
    BBC Sport in Malaga

    An excellent charm offensive from Van de Zandschulp, there.

    He will not be a popular man in Spain.

    Remember, he also ended Carlos Alcaraz's bid for US Open glory in September.

    Stay in the hotel tonight, Botic.

  5. Postpublished at 18:24 Greenwich Mean Time

    Jonathan Jurejko
    BBC Sport in Malaga

    You knew Rafa wasn't gonna slope off with his tail between his legs.

    And the Spanish fans wouldn't let him.

    A chant of 'si, se puede' - essentially 'yes, you can' - rang around the arena as they told him anything remained possible as he battled to avoid defeat.

    Ultimately, he couldn't. Nadal waves to all sides of the adoring crowd.

    Rafael Nadal waves to the crowdImage source, BBC Sport
  6. I would have been cheering for Nadal too - Van de Zandschulppublished at 18:20 Greenwich Mean Time

    Van de Zandschulp 6-4 6-4 Nadal

    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."

  7. Postpublished at 18:16 Greenwich Mean Time

    Van de Zandschulp 6-4 6-4 Nadal

    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.

  8. game, set and match

    Game, set and match - Van de Zandschulppublished at 18:14 Greenwich Mean Time

    Van de Zandschulp 6-4 6-4 Nadal

    The retiring Rafael Nadal is beaten at the start of his Davis Cup farewell, and it remains to be seen whether this loss will be the final match of his career.

    He gave everything to stay in that second set but it wasn't enough against a determined Botic van de Zandschulp.

    It will be over to Carlos Alcaraz now to keep Spain's hopes alive in Malaga.

  9. Match point Van de Zandschulppublished at 18:12 Greenwich Mean Time

    *Van de Zandschulp 6-4 5-4 Nadal

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

  10. Postpublished at 18:12 Greenwich Mean Time

    *Van de Zandschulp 6-4 5-4 Nadal

    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.

  11. Postpublished at 18:09 Greenwich Mean Time

    *Van de Zandschulp 6-4 5-4 Nadal

    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.

    Rafael Nadal of Team Spain reactsImage source, Getty Images
  12. Van de Zandschulp serving for the matchpublished at 18:08 Greenwich Mean Time

    *Van de Zandschulp 6-4 5-4 Nadal

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

  13. Nadal holds servepublished at 18:07 Greenwich Mean Time

    *Van de Zandschulp 6-4 5-4 Nadal

    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.

  14. Postpublished at 18:04 Greenwich Mean Time

    Van de Zandschulp 6-4 5-3 Nadal*

    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.

  15. Van de Zandschulp holds servepublished at 18:03 Greenwich Mean Time

    Van de Zandschulp 6-4 5-3 Nadal*

    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.

  16. Postpublished at 18:01 Greenwich Mean Time

    *Van de Zandschulp 6-4 4-3 Nadal

    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.

  17. Nadal holds servepublished at 17:59 Greenwich Mean Time

    *Van de Zandschulp 6-4 4-3 Nadal

    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.

    Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts in the quarter-final singles match between Netherlands and SpainImage source, Getty Images
  18. Nadal saves break pointpublished at 17:57 Greenwich Mean Time

    Van de Zandschulp 6-4 4-2 Nadal*

    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.

  19. Postpublished at 17:55 Greenwich Mean Time

    Van de Zandschulp 6-4 4-2 Nadal*

    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.

  20. Postpublished at 17:52 Greenwich Mean Time

    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.