Lleyton Hewitt's team may have already reached the finals, but Australia came up short in its final Davis Cup tie of the week in Valencia against hosts Spain.

A tough loss to Spain means Australia will face a challenging task in the quarter-finals to end a 21-year title drought in the team competition.

Spain's win over France in Valencia has also confirmed Australia's place in November's Davis Cup Finals. The Aussies and Spanish will clash on Sunday, the winner topping Group B. Australia’s Davis Cup team has been able to celebrate reaching the Davis Cup finals – without even having to hit a ball on Friday.

The Australian Davis Cup team should be bolstered by the return of world No.11 Alex de Minaur for a third straight shot at the title having secured passage November’s eight-team showdown despite a final round loss to Spain in Valencia.

The United States secured its place in the last eight of the Davis Cup Finals by winning both its singles matches against Slovakia to also send unbeaten Germany through from the same group.