Spain takes 2-0 lead in Davis Cup

SEVILLE, Spain, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Eighteen-year-old Rafael Nadal beat American Andy Roddick in a four-set battle Friday to give Spain a 2-0 lead in the Davis Cup final.

Nadal, cheered by a record crowd at Olympic Stadium, won 6-7 (6-8), 6-2, 7-6 (8-6), 6-2. Earlier, Carlos Moya routed Mardy Fish 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.

Officials said the crowd of about 27,000 was the largest ever for an official tennis match.

Roddick's blistering serve was broken six times by the Spanish teenager, a Davis Cup rookie. Their match lasted more than 3 1/2 hours.

"It was the greatest match of my career," Nadal said.

"Every once in a while people come along and they're big-match players," Roddick said. He looks like he's one of them."

Spain needs one more victory in the best-of-five championship to win the title.

A doubles match is scheduled Saturday and two more singles matches Sunday.

American twins Bob and Mike Bryan will play Tommy Robredo and Nadal in doubles.

The United States has won the cup 31 times, Spain once.