MADRID, Spain (AP):

A commanding performance by a player having a commanding year ended America's reign as Davis Cup holder and sent Spain into the final against Argentina yesterday.

Buoyed by the cheers of a home crowd in a bull ring, Rafael Nadal played the role of accomplished matador to the fullest, defeating Andy Roddick 6-4, 6-0, 6-4 to place Spain in its sixth final.

Nadal, a master on clay, dropped to his knees and pumped his fists after giving his country an insurmountable lead in the best-of-five semi-final.

Nice sensations

"It's one of the nicest sensations you can experience in your career," he said.

Spain will play for the title in November against Argentina, which defeated Russia 3-2 in the semi-final in Buenos Aires. Juan Martin del Potro beat Igor Andreev in straight sets in the deciding match.

In the final, before 20,000 fans at Las Ventas arena, Feliciano Lopez defeated Sam Querrey 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4) to complete a 4-1 victory.

In the eight play-offs for spots in next year's World Group, Slovakia and Britain were the only home teams to lose. Slovakia lost to a Novak Djokovic-led Serbia 4-1 and Britain fell to Austria 3-2 at Wimbledon.

In other results, 2005 champion Croatia beat Brazil 4-1, Chile ousted Australia 3-2, Switzerland beat Belgium 4-1, Israel erased Peru 4-1, Netherlands downed South Korea 3-2 to return to the elite after a two-year absence and Romania defeated India 4-1.