In Bologna, Italy, a dramatic showdown unfolded as Spain triumphed over the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup, clinching a hard-fought 2-1 victory. The pivotal moment came in the doubles match, where the duo of Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez Portero excelled, overcoming the Czech pair of Tomas Machac and Jakub Mensik. This decisive win marked Spain’s return to the semifinals for the first time since their last championship in 2019.
Spain’s journey was not without challenges, as they had to contend with the absence of their star player, Carlos Alcaraz. The six-time Grand Slam champion was sidelined due to a hamstring injury, prompting Granollers and Martinez to step up to the occasion. They showcased remarkable resilience, winning both sets against their opponents in tiebreaks, finalizing the match with scores of 7-6 (8), 7-6 (8) at the SuperTennis Arena.
The Czech team initially took the lead when 20-year-old Jakub Mensik stunned veteran Pablo Carreño Busta with a straight-sets victory, 7-5, 6-4. However, Spain quickly responded as Jaume Munar secured an important win by defeating the 17th-ranked Jiri Lehecka with a score of 6-3, 6-4, marking Munar’s first Davis Cup singles victory. Munar expressed confidence in his performance, stating that self-belief is crucial regardless of the opponent.
On the other side of the draw, Germany also secured their spot in the semifinals, edging past Argentina with a close 2-1 scoreline. The match featured standout performances, particularly from Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina, who delivered a powerful showing with 23 aces to win against Jan-Lennard Struff in two competitive sets, both concluding in tiebreaks.
Germany responded when Alexander Zverev, ranked No. 3 globally, leveled the tie by defeating Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo, showcasing his experience against the 21st-ranked player with a score of 6-4, 7-6 (3). The decisive doubles match saw Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz hang tough against Andres Molteni and Horacio Zeballos, winning 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10) in a tightly contested battle.
Looking ahead, Spain faces second-seeded Germany in the semifinals, while Italy, the top-ranked team aiming for their third consecutive title, will go head-to-head against Belgium. Italy, however, will have to do so without their world No. 2, Jannik Sinner, who is taking a break to rest.
The Bologna Davis Cup Finals marks a continued evolution of the tournament, with the revamped format celebrating its sixth edition at a neutral site. As national pride and individual excellence converge, tennis fans can look forward to thrilling matchups in the semifinals, promising an exciting conclusion to this year’s competition.
