Retiring Rafael Nadal beaten in singles at Davis Cup

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.

It was only Nadal's second ever Davis Cup loss in singles, with the other coming on his debut against Czech Republic way back in 2004.

But, while the 22-time grand-slam champion will be disappointed with the result, ultimately it was not what really mattered.

The Spanish fans, some of whom had paid seven-figure sums for tickets, flocked to the Martin Carpena Arena in their thousands, draped in red and yellow flags and scarves and ready to cheer on their national hero for perhaps the final time.

A dream start in Malaga for @Boticvdz and @KNLTB