Davis Cup LIVE: Rafael Nadal beaten in potential farewell as Spain take on Netherlands

Rafael Nadal was unable to conjure a Davis Cup fairytale as he suffered defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp on an emotional evening in Malaga.

The 38-year-old is playing in his farewell tournament having finally accepted last month that his body would no longer allow him to compete at the highest level.

He was still hoping for one final victory on home soil – and that could yet still come if his Spanish team-mates can turn around the quarter-final against the Netherlands to send the home nation to the semi-finals – but Van de Zandschulp spoiled the party with a 6-4 6-4 victory.

Rafael Nadal was almost overcome with emotion during the Spanish national anthem earlier, and it appears his fellow tennis great is also struggling:

Rafael Nadal 4-6, 4-6 Botic van de Zandschulp

Carlos Alcaraz vs Tallon Griekspoor

if required: Carlos Alcaraz/Marcel Granollers vs Wesley Koolhof/Botic van de Zandschulp

“In the beginning, I think we were both nervous. The first serve didn’t go smoothly, the crowd were tough - understandable. Rafa is the biggest sportsman in Spain that has ever lived. It is a really special event.

“It is tough to close out a match against him, knowing it may be his last. At 4-3, 0-40, I just went for it, and it helped in the end. There are too many people from Spain here cheering for him! But if I was sitting next to the court, I’d be cheering for him as well.”

The bane of Spain strikes again! Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open and now Rafael Nadal at the Davis Cup - Botic van de Zandschulp claims a second significant scalp to put the Netherlands 1-0 up in this quarter-final.

Will we see Rafael Nadal in singles action again? He’ll be reliant on Carlos Alcaraz winning the second singles tie.

A powerful second serve is thumped two inches long. Match point.

Outstanding tennis! A scintillating rally ends with Rafael Nadal just about still in touch, Botic van de Zandschup somehow collecting what had seemed to have been a perfect drop volley but unable to get his scoop up, over and down in time to land in bounds.

Into the net! Back to all-square in the game as the Dutchman makes a careless volleying error.

Rafael Nadal plunges his face into his strings as a would-be forehand winner drifts agonisingly long. An ambitiously attacking backhand is wide - the bell is tolling...

But two zippy serves provide succour. A crisp crunch from overhead goes unreturned - Rafael Nadal is alive, for now.

A mis-hit return from Botic van de Zandschulp bounces awkwardly on Rafael Nadal, whose groundstroke is errant.