Spain rebounded from an initial singles loss on Thursday to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1, advancing to the Davis Cup semi-finals for the first time in six years. They will face Germany, who also staged a comeback win over Argentina.
In the other semi-final, hosts Italy, missing world number two Jannik Sinner and world number eight Lorenzo Musetti, are aiming for a Davis Cup “three-peat” after comfortably defeating Austria in Bologna on Wednesday, setting up a semi-final clash against Belgium.
How Spain And Germany Booked Semis Spot?
Despite the absence of world number one Carlos Alcaraz, who withdrew just before the event due to a hamstring injury, Spain faced difficulty when Pablo Carreno Busta lost in straight sets to Jakub Mensik. Carreno Busta, ranked 89th, struggled against Mensik’s
power and 20 aces, falling 7-5 6-4 to the world No. 19.
Mensik overcame a break midway through the first set but held firm, breaking back twice to take the set. He offered no further break chances and secured the second set with a late break to put his team ahead.
Spain managed a successful comeback despite Alcaraz’s absence, with Jaume Munar levelling the score by defeating Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-4. Munar, achieving his first Davis Cup victory, required a break in each set to overcome his opponent.
The deciding doubles match saw 39-year-old veteran Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez narrowly beat Mensik and Tomas Machac 7-6(8) 7-6(8) in an engaging contest.
Argentina’s Tomas Etcheverry fired 23 aces to secure a straight-sets victory over Jan-Lennart Struff in the last quarter-final of the day. However, Germany responded with Alexander Zverev’s 6-4 7-6(3) win over Francisco Cerundolo, pushing the tie to another doubles decider.
The doubles decider, lasting almost two and a half hours, was dramatic. Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos and Andres Molteni saved four match points but squandered two of their own in the third set tiebreak. Germany’s Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz eventually triumphed 4-6 6-4 7-6(10), propelling their team to the semi-finals.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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