SAO PAULO, Sept 15 — Five-time champions Spain’s 18-year stay in the Davis Cup World Group came to an end yesterday when they were defeated by Brazil in the play-offs.

Playing without injured superstar Rafael Nadal as well as fellow top 10 player David Ferrer, Spain also lost their first tie on clay since 1999.

Thomaz Bellucci won the crucial point for Brazil with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Roberto Bautista Agut which gave the home side an insurmountable 3-1 lead.

Bellucci won his 14th Davis Cup rubber in 16 on clay making a mockery of the world rankings in the process. He is at 83 compared to the 15 of Bautista Agut.

Spain won the Davis Cup in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2011 and were runners-up in 2003 and 2012.

Nadal, who hasn’t played since Wimbledon to nurse a wrist injury, tweeted his support for his teammates.

“All my support to my friends from the Spanish tennis team!!,” he wrote. — AFP