Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts after beating Sam Querrey of the United States during the first game of the Davis Cup World Group semifinal at Las Ventas bullring in Madrid yesterday.

Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts after beating Sam Querrey of the United States during the first game of the Davis Cup World Group semifinal at Las Ventas bullring in Madrid yesterday.

TOP-RANKED Rafael Nadal rallied to beat Sam Querrey in four sets yesterday and give Spain a 1-0 lead over the United States in their Davis Cup semifinal.

Nadal overcame Querrey's booming serve and early momentum before settling in to dictate the match on his favorite clay surface, winning 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the opening singles at the Las Ventas bullfighting arena.

Eighth-ranked American Andy Roddick faced No. 5 David Ferrer in the second match later yesterday.

The 39th-ranked Querrey, making his Davis Cup debut as a late substitute for James Blake, came out strongly and took the first set in a tiebreaker after Nadal hit a shot into the net.

But unforced errors cost Querrey as Nadal took the second set on his second break point to even the match. The Spaniard never looked back, hitting winner after winner and breaking Querrey two more times to close out the match.

Querrey had 17 aces and 76 winners, but finished with 74 unforced errors. Nadal had 59 winners and 35 unforced mistakes.

"It was very difficult," Nadal said. "Never in my life have I had so many service points scored against me on a clay court. It's very important for us to start with a victory."

Makeshift squad

Spain, which hasn't lost a clay court Davis Cup series in nine years, is looking to reach its sixth Davis Cup final. The US, winner of a record 32 Davis Cup titles, has assembled a makeshift squad following the withdrawals of Blake and doubles player Bob Bryan. The winner will face either Argentina or Russia in the final.