At the end of the day, it is Spain who is the team who leads 2-0. It could have easily been 1-1, so little, it took Copil to bring the first point to the Romanian team, but Feliciano Lopez was stronger at the end of the fifth set and Copil couldn't find the right answer because time was running out as Feliciano took the decisive break. Afterwards, it was Robert Bautista-Agut time to bring the second point for the Spanish team, in a one way three set match. Spain is now one point away to win this tie, so tomorrow's double match could be the decisive one.
Feliciano Lopez gets the first point after thrilling five setter match
In one if the best match of the day in Davis Cup, Feliciano Lopez managed to beat Marius Copil in an exhausting five setter match which lasted 3 hours and 41 minutes. With a 7-6 (4), 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory Feliciano Lopez brought Spain a step closer to winning the tie against the Romanian team. The first set was a close one, Copil was often able to play toe to toe with the much more experienced Spaniard. Taking a look at the rankings, there are 143 ranking places between the two, but today that difference felt to be a lot smaller, if not, non-existent. Feliciano Lopez broke first at the beginning of the first set, taking the lead 4-1.
After Marius managed to hold easily he broke back at his second chance, closing the gap immediately to level things up at 4-4 after he saved two break points. Then, they both managed to hold their serve, so the set was decided at the tie-break. A few mistakes at the end of the tie-break were enough for Lopez, who secured the first set 7-4. In the second set, Marius Copil didn't back down and broke Feliciano to take a two love lead. Feliciano took it back right away and then had to save two break point to level the set at 2-2. From there in until 6-5 both hold their serve. With the crowd cheering intensively, Copil seemed to take in that energy and took the set 7-5.
In the third set, neither of the players managed to break the other one. With 38 minutes in the set, Feliciano put pressure on Copil's serve and after two missed chances, he broke to serve out the set at 6-4. In the fourth set, Copil brought his guns to the table and served amazingly, in twelve minutes he was leading 3-0. His sharp one-handed backhand gave Feliciano no chance to get back into the set and took the set at 6-3. In the decisive Copil maintained the same high level. He was serving ace after ace, his movement was better, he was focused and seemed to be one step in front all the time. Lopez, however, stayed closely, never letting him take a too big of an advance. He was immediately rewarded for his patience in the eight game. His experience also was a big factor as he knew when to step up his game and surprise Copil. He broke for a 5-3 lead and never looked back, closing the match with cold blood.
Robert Bautista-Agut gave Spain the two love lead
In the second match of the day, Adrian Ungur was unable to put Robert Bautista-Agut any problems. The Spaniard won the match 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 in just 1 hour and 37 minutes. The Spanish player built up his game as the match was progressing, leaving Ungur very few chances to try and threat at least his opponent serve. In a very slow start from the Romanian, Bautista Agut broke two times, just enough to take the lead at 5-1. A harsh score for which seemed to have awakened Ungur. He lacked in the courage Copil showed in the first match and seemed at times to play too carefully, not wanting to take any risk. Having one just game, he started to put more pressure and broke Agut's serve and held afterwards. But that was not enough for the Romanian as Bautista Agut managed to close the set and putting himself in control of the match.
In the second set, he continued his dominance and broke Ungur on the first try. Afterwards, in the longest game of the match, Ungur had to save three break points. But all his effort seems to be done in vain. Bautista Agut was there to win and not wanting to lose time. From that game on, Ungur was unable to do anything against a very solid opponent. In the third and final set, Bautista Agut didn't slow down, not for even one second. Always one step ahead, always punishing Ungur's second serve, he was the better mover and eventually the better player just like the Romania said at the press conference after the match. "It was a very tough match, Agut is in the top 15 for a reason. I tried to do the best I could today, but I wasn't able to do that and I'm sorry. This is tennis, the best one wins eventually. This surface is not my favourite one, but that's not an excuse. The atmosphere was amazing, I want to thank everyone for supporting us and I hope they will come also tomorrow because the doubles match is a decisive one for us".
Tomorrow, Horia Tecău and Florin Mergea take on a crucial match for the Romania's fate in this tie. They will have to bring the first point and to keep alive Romania's chances. Marc Lopez and Pablo Busta are the players nominated to play the doubles match for the Spanish team, even though, Conchita Martinez said that depending on how Feliciano Lopez feels, things might change.
At this moment Romania has an "impossible mission" like Ungur said, but that doesn't mean they won't put up a fight. A point in the doubles, on Saturday, would mean Romania one more chance. Right now, there are three more points into play and my probably this tie's date will be decided on Sunday.