Sydney (AFP)

Spain took the better of Belgium 2-1 to win their ticket to the semifinals of the first edition of the ATP Cup on Friday in Sydney.

Rafael Nadal and Pablo Carreno Busta brought the point of the qualification after a very tight double, won 6/7 (7/9), 7-5, 10-7 against the Belgian pair composed by Sander Gillé and Joran Vliegen.

With his victory over Kimmer Coppejans (6-1, 6-4), Roberto Bautista-Agut gave the first point to Spain, who won the Davis Cup in November in Madrid.

But David Goffin then created a little sensation by dominating Nadal, current world No.1, in two innings in the second single (6-4, 7-6 (7/3)).

It was the second success in six games against the Mallorcan for the 29-year-old.

Spain will face Nick Kyrgios Australia for a place in the final on Saturday.

In the other semi-final, Daniil Medvedev's Russia will meet Novak Djokovic's Serbia.

© 2020 AFP