Argentina's captain and players were resigned but proud despite coming up short in a Davis Cup final against Spain for the second time in four years on Sunday, Dec 4.

World number two Rafa Nadal was given a scare on his beloved clay by Juan Martin Del Potro when the Argentine took the first set in Sunday's singles but rallied to secure an unassailable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five tie and seal Spain's fifth triumph in the competition.

"I think both my colleagues, David Nalbandian, Eduardo Schwank and I must be happy that we have done a good job, not only in this tie but the whole Davis Cup," Del Potro said.

"We could fight Spain on home turf and we could feel that we could beat them.But beyond the defeat, I am particularly happy because of what the team gave me and what my colleagues gave me and their support so that I could play better," Reuters quoted the player as saying.