A baying, frenzied Spanish tennis crowd and Rafael Nadal combined to bring world number two Andy Roddick to his knees on Friday at the Davis Cup final.
It is not an experience he is likely to forget.
"It was crazy. You know, it was unlike anything I've experienced before," the shell-shocked American said after his 6-7, 6-2, 7-6 ,6-2 defeat at the hands of the 18-year-old.
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Roddick's serve -- the world's fastest -- and his ferocious forehand were both blunted by the Mallorcan teenager as Spain took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five rubber match.
"I just ran into a guy today that was too good," the American said. "I couldn't have tried any harder. You know, I couldn't have... I gave it everything I had. It just wasn't enough on the day."
Roddick threw everything at his young opponent but the 18-year-old absorbed it all.
"I had to do something to try to win points. I felt like I stuck to the game plan and I volleyed pretty well today. I just ran into someone who played too well," Roddick said.
"Every once in a while people come along and they're big match players.
"This is the third time this year he's stepped up in singles and played well. I think you either have it or you don't, regardless of age."
Roddick predicts a bright future for the left-handed Nadal.
"I think he could become possibly one of the best clay courters in the world," he said.
"You know, he showed a lot out there today. I tried everything... so it's no secret that he has a very, very bright future."
Twins Bob and Mike Bryan must now beat Nadal and Tommy Robredo to keep alive American hopes of winning a first Davis Cup since 1995.
Despite their predicament, U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe heaped praise on Roddick for his efforts.
"I'm extremely proud of the way Andy played today, the way he competed, which he always does," he said.
"But more importantly, the tactics that he used and the improvement that he showed in playing that style.
"So to me that bodes very, very well for him, and therefore for us, not just for us this weekend, but for the future.
"I'm extremely proud of what he was able to do today. It was a hell of a match."
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