The 2009 Davis Cup Final begins Friday in Barcelona as Spain plays host to the Czech Republic. As part of the countdown to the final, WorldTennisMagazine.com is presenting a special look at some of the best moments in the history of the Davis Cup, courtesy of the book ON THIS DAY IN TENNIS HISTORY ($19.95, New Chapter Press, www.TennisHistoryBook.com). Each day, WorldTennisMagazine.com will present the anniversaries of some of the best matches from the event.
ON THIS DAY IN TENNIS HISTORY – December 2
1973 – Rod Laver and John Newcombe complete a 5-0 shut out of the United States in the Davis Cup Final in Cleveland, Ohio as Newcombe defeats Tom Gorman 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 and Laver defeats Stan Smith 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. With the victory, captain Neale Fraser’s team goes down in Davis Cup history as one of the greatest of all time. The four team members – Newcombe, Laver, Ken Rosewall and Mal Anderson – combine for a total of 25 major singles titles on their resumes
2001 – Nicolas Escude, ranked No. 27 in the world, clinches victory for France in the Davis Cup Final, defeating No. 64th ranked Wayne Arthurs 7-6(3), 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3 in the fifth and decisive match in France’s 3-2 victory over Australia at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Arthurs is a last minute substitute for Patrick Rafter, who is substituted for due to tendonitis in his right arm. Says Escude, “’This might take a while to sink in. To win twice here is unbelievable, to win the Cup even better.” Earlier Sunday, Lleyton Hewitt sends the final to the fifth match with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win over Sebastien Grosjean. France leads the series 2-1 entering the final day of play as Cedric Pioline and Fabrice Santoro pair to defeat Rafter and Hewitt 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-1.
1995 – One day after collapsing in cramps after defeating Andrei Chesnokov in five sets, Pete Sampras teams with Todd Martin to give the United States an important 2-1 over Russia in the Davis Cup Final in Moscow. Sampras and Martin defeat Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Andrei Olhovskiy 7-5, 6-4, 6-3 in a match that proves pivotal in the United States claiming its 31st Davis Cup title.