Post by : Rameen Ariff

Spain has secured a spot in the Davis Cup semi-finals for the first time in six years, pulling off a determined comeback with a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals on Thursday. They will now clash with Germany, who triumphed over Argentina in a tough match.

Initially, Spain faced adversity as world number one Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the tournament due to a hamstring injury, complicating their route to the semi-finals. Their challenges escalated further when Pablo Carreno Busta lost the opening singles match.

Carreno Busta, ranked 89th, was unable to overcome the Czech Republic's Jakub Mensik, who delivered a stellar performance marked by 20 aces, winning 7-5, 6-4. Despite an early advantage, Carreno Busta could not turn the tables as Mensik took control and clinched the match without further break opportunities.

With Spain trailing 0-1, Jaume Munar came to the rescue in the second singles match, marking his first-ever Davis Cup win by defeating Jiri Lehecka with a score of 6-3, 6-4. Munar's crucial break in both sets enabled him to level the tie at 1-1.

The outcome was settled in the doubles match, where Spain’s seasoned Marcel Granollers, aged 39, teamed up with Pedro Martinez to face Mensik and Tomas Machac. After an intense matchup, Granollers and Martinez won 7-6(8), 7-6(8), ensuring Spain's advancement to the semi-finals.

Germany, too, navigated a dramatic path to the semi-finals, as Argentina initially took the lead. Tomas Etcheverry’s 23 aces led him to a straight-sets victory over Jan-Lennart Struff. However, Alexander Zverev propelled Germany forward with a 6-4, 7-6 win over Francisco Cerundolo, pushing the fate to the doubles.

The doubles encounter, lasting nearly two and a half hours, saw Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos and Andres Molteni save four match points but falter with two of their own in the final set tie-break. Germany’s Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz maintained composure, winning 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(10) and securing their place in the semi-finals.

In the other semi-final bracket, host nation Italy, despite the absence of world number two Jannik Sinner and world number eight Lorenzo Musetti, advanced following a victory over Austria. Italy’s ambition is to clinch a third consecutive Davis Cup title as they prepare to face Belgium in the semis.

#Global