`` There were moments where he helped me in making mistakes , not forcing me to play long points . My service was working well and that made me feel much more comfortable , '' added the Spanish No. 1 . A despondent Gasquet added : `` Even a tired Nadal remains an exceptional player . I could n't find a way past him . It 's a defeat that really hurts . '' Spain are attempting to reach the final for the third time in four years , and are favorites to take the trophy with two of the world 's top five players amongst their ranks . They are also well on their way to avenging last year 's 5-0 whitewash quarterfinal defeat to France Spanish doubles specialists Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco can now finish the job on Saturday when they go up against Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga . Meanwhile , defending champions Serbia have a mountain to climb in order to retain their title after losing the opening two singles rubbers of their semifinal against Argentina in front of 15,000 partisan fans in Belgrade . David Nalbandian set Argentina on their way with a 6-4
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer have put Spain on the brink of reaching the Davis Cup final after winning their opening two singles rubbers against France in convincing fashion . With the red clay of Cordoba suiting the Spanish duo perfectly , world number two Nadal -- showing no ill effects from losing the final of the U.S. Open to Novak Djokovic earlier this week -- set the ball rolling with a crushing 6-3 6-0 6-1 success over Richard Gasquet . And Ferrer doubled Spain 's advantage , brushing aside Gilles Simon 6-1 6-4 6-1 , to leave the four-times champions needing just a win in Saturday 's doubles rubber to reach the final . The New Musketeers : France 's fantastic four bid for Davis Cup glory Despite searing heat , Nadal never allowed Gasquet time to get into their match , with the 10-time grand slam winner telling reporters he was delighted with his performance , considering he felt tired . `` That worked out well , I managed to play with a cool head and do what I had to do throughout without losing concentration for a minute , '' said Nadal .