Nadal gives Spain 1-0 lead in Davis Cup against Denmark

Rafael Nadal. AP

ODENSE, Denmark — Rafael Nadal beat Mikael Toregaard 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 to give Spain a 1-0 lead over Denmark in their Davis Cup relegation playoff on Friday.

Nadal returned to Davis Cup tennis after a two-year absence for the Group 1 match and secured his 22nd consecutive win in the competition.

The 909th-ranked Toregaard failed to convert any of his three break points in the first set, which he then surrendered to the Spaniard with a double-fault on the indoor hard court.

Nadal slowly improved the accuracy of his serve, even though the Dane hit some precise backhand shots to push the Spaniard.

Frederik Nielsen plays David Ferrer in the day’s second match.TVJ