DAVIS CUP SEMI-FINALS Spain 4-1 France USA 4-0 Belarus

Nadal, replacing Carlos Moya for the day's first reverse singles, lost his opening service game but recovered to seal victory in two hours 12 minutes.

The 18-year-old's 6-4 6-1 6-2 success gave the Spaniards an unassailable 3-1 win, as they bid to regain the title they won for the first time in 2000.

Having lost to Australia in last year's final, they will now host the USA.

Tommy Robredo beat Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4 6-4 in the remaining dead rubber to give Spain a 4-1 win in the tie.

"I was surprised when I found out on Saturday night that I'd be playing but also eager," said Nadal.

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"I was nervous at the start but after I'd got the break back I was more comfortable and started playing much better."

The USA progressed to the final on Saturday when Bob and Mike Bryan beat Belarus's Max Mirnyi and Vladimir Voltchkov to take a 3-0 lead.

Bob Bryan's forehand past Mirnyi put Belarus away as the US broke Voltchkov's serve in the final game.

The victory kept alive the Bryans' streak of never having lost a set in four Davis Cup matches.

"Davis Cup is the best thing you can do in tennis. For us, I consider this a Grand Slam final," Mike Bryan said.

"This match, you know, saved our summer. I mean, I feel great now going home."

World number two Andy Roddick coasted to victory over Belarus teenager Alexander Skrypko in the first of the two dead reverse singles rubbers on Sunday.

And the second was abandoned because of rain with Mardy Fish leading Andrei Karatchenia 3-0 in the first set.