Both Spaniards beat their rivals in three sets, with Nadal overcoming Mikael Toregaard 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 to put Spain ahead while Ferrer defeated Frederik Nielsen 6-1, 7-5, 6-2.

Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco had secured Spain the victory in advance by winning the doubles match on Saturday. Torpegaard had three break points on Nadal’s serve at 4-4, but Nadal held and then broke Torpegaard in the next game to win the set.

In the World Group playoffs, Switzerland’s big guns Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka helped their country into a 2-0 lead against the Netherlands, although Wawrinka was given a huge scare before beating Thiemo de Bakker in five sets.

Nadal was also critical of the appointment of Gala Leon Garcia as Spain’s Davis Cup captain and didn’t play during her short-lived reign, but has returned with 1994 Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez now in charge.

Under the Davis Cup format, the victor will remain in Group 1 for the Europe/Africa Zone, while the loser faces Sweden in a second round relegation playoff.

“The last couple of years I had some injuries during the Davis Cup matches, but we have to accept we are in the second division now and fight back”, he added.

“It was important for us to win this tie after losing some in a row”, said Nadal.