Malaga, Spain – In a thrilling display of resilience and skill, the Netherlands has clinched its first-ever spot in the Davis Cup final after a momentous victory over Germany. Key performances from Botic van de Zandschulp and Tallon Griekspoor powered the Dutch team to a 2-0 sweep in Friday’s semifinal match. Van de Zandschulp, ranked 80th, finally secured his win over Germany’s Daniel Altmaier with a remarkable tenth match point, ending the game 6-4, 6-7 (12), 6-3. Following this, Griekspoor, who ranks 40th, delivered a decisive win over Jan-Lennard Struff, striking 25 aces and sealing the victory with a triumphant 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4.
Reflecting on the team’s success, Griekspoor expressed gratitude and pride: “We have been talking about this for two, three years. We believed in ourselves so much. To do it now feels unbelievable.”
In the lead-up to the final, Dutch team captain Paul Haarhuis highlighted the strength of their team dynamics. “We don’t have that top 5 player. We don’t have that top 10 player. But it’s a team effort…so proud of these guys,” Haarhuis stated, capturing the spirit that has carried the Netherlands this far.
Meanwhile, the other semifinal match, set for Saturday, will see Italy’s Jannik Sinner, the world’s top-ranked player, face off against Australia. The Davis Cup champion will be crowned on Sunday.
The Netherlands’ journey to the final also marks the end of tennis icon Rafael Nadal’s career, as van de Zandschulp eliminated Spain, including Nadal, in the quarterfinals earlier this week. In an emotional farewell, Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, announced that the Davis Cup would be his final competition. Although many fans had purchased tickets to watch Nadal in the semifinals, Friday’s matches saw rows of empty seats at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martina Carpena in Malaga, as the crowd adjusted to the absence of the beloved Spanish legend.
Griekspoor’s powerful serving and tactical prowess led the way, securing the Netherlands’ place in history. As they prepare for the final, the Dutch team now eyes the ultimate prize: their first-ever Davis Cup championship.
Source: Swifteradio.com
