Rafael Nadal has given Spain the lead in the Davis Cup final after easing past Juan Monaco in Seville.

Nadal and Monaco kicked off the first singles rubber of the tie, with Spain having a previous record of three wins to love over the South Americans.

While earlier questions loomed over the Spaniard's level of fatigue, Nadal managed to prove his doubters wrong in the first set by hitting a number of impressive shots and taking the lead 6-1 in 48 minutes.

The world number two continued to dominate the match, with Monaco failing to come up with any answers to the 25-year-old's play.

Nadal went on to punish his Argentine opponent by claiming the second set 6-1, leaving the 27-year-old with an uphill struggle to gain anything for his South American team.

While Monaco attempted to force an additional set, the tiredness seemed to take over and his Spanish rival finished off the contest 6-2 comfortably.