The 18-year-old, playing his first year of Davis Cup, whipped a record tennis crowd of 27,200 to a frenzy as he rocked the world number two 6-7, 6-2, 7-6, 6-2.

"It has been a long time since I played at this level," he said, his voice breaking with emotion.

"The fans... they were 50 per cent of this victory. Davis Cup is everything -- this win shows me again that I am a good player."

Ranked 51st in the world, Nadal had been preferred to former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero for this match in a controversial move by coach Jordi Arrese on Thursday.

The burly left-hander fell to the ground in relief after forcing Roddick into an error on his second match point.

Nadal's fellow Mallorcan and practice partner Carlos Moya had earlier fired Spain into a 1-0 lead which means the Bryan twins Mike and Bob must now beat Nadal and Tommy Robredo on Saturday to prevent Spain winning their second Davis Cup.

Former world number one Moya bamboozled Mardy Fish 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 for the first point.