Rafael Nadal has kept Spain’s Davis Cup campaign alive by beating Germany’s Alexander Zverev in straight sets to prolong their quarter-final tie in Valencia.

Spain trailed the Germans 2-1 after losing Saturday’s doubles contest but the world No.1 claimed a 6-1 6-4 6-4 victory to force a deciding singles rubber.

The result extends Nadal’s record-breaking unbeaten run in the Davis Cup to 24 matches since 2005.

“I’m very happy for the victory as this was a very important match for me and for the team,” said Nadal.

“Great feelings. Playing in front of my home crowd is always special for me and it was important to come back here and get the victory.”

Nadal, 31, showed no signs of feeling the pressure of this must-win tie as he came out firing.

All hopes of Spain’s semi-final place now rest on David Ferrer’s shoulders as he faces Philipp Kohlschreiber in a winner-takes-all affair.

“I hope David will do great because it will be an emotional match,” said Nadal.

“He is a great singles player and I hope he does well.”

Should Ferrer lose the tie, it would be Spain’s first Davis Cup defeat on home ground since 1999.

In Nashville, Jack Sock and Ryan Harrison put the United States into the last four for the first time since 2012 by beating Belgium pair Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen 5-7 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-3) 6-4.

The doubles took the US to an unassailable 3-0 lead.

John Isner and Sam Querrey set up the doubles match for the clincher by winning both their singles matches.

Holders France took a 2-1 lead in their tie with Italy as Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut comfortably beat Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini 6-4 6-3 6-1.

Ivan Dodig and Nikola Mektic overcame Kazakhstan’s Timur Khabibulin and Aleksandr Nedovyesov 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 6-4 6-2 to hand Croatia a 2-1 lead.