Davis Cup: No Rafael Nadal, no problem as 'super special' Carlos Alcaraz enjoys flying start

Carlos Alcaraz made a stunning start to his Davis Cup career on Friday, helping six-time champions Spain to a comfortable 2-0 lead over Romania on the first day of their qualifying tie. The 18-year-old Alcaraz, ranked 19 in the world, swept past the experienced Marius Copil 6-4, 6-3 on the clay courts of Marbella. "I was nervous, but no more than usual. Having an experience like this in the Davis Cup helps you grow as a player and as a person," said Alcaraz widely seen as his country's tennis heir apparent to Rafael Nadal who has skipped this tie.

"I have no words to define what I felt on the court. It's totally different to feel the warmth of the entire crowd. It's super special and you only experience it in the Davis Cup." In the first rubber, Roberto Bautista Agut, ranked 15, was equally untroubled, cruising to a 6-3, 6-1 win over Gabi Adrian Boitan, who was shown up by his modest 721 ranking.

France, the 10-time Davis Cup champions, also opened up a 2-0 lead in their qualifier over Ecuador in Pau. World 59 Arthur Rinderknech defeated Emilio Gomez, ranked at 144, by 6-2, 7-5 before 58th-ranked Adrian Mannarino saw off Roberto Quiroz, who played way beyond his 381 ranking, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.

Canada, without ninth-ranked Felix Auger-Aliassime and world number 15 Denis Shapovalov, slipped to a 2-0 deficit against the Netherlands in The Hague. Botic Van de Zandschulp defeated Alexis Galarneau 7-5, 7-6 (11/9) while Tallon Griekspoor eased past Steven Diez 6-4, 6-4.

The doubles and reverse singles are played on Saturday. Twelve Davis Cup ties are being contested on Friday and Saturday, with the winners progressing to the finals, the first stage of which will be played in September with 16 teams. Croatia, Great Britain and