Tallon Griekspoor and Botic van de Zandschulp wins seal historic Davis Cup evening for Netherlands | ATP Tour

Match Report

Griekspoor and Botic seal historic Davis Cup evening for Netherlands

Dutchmen defeat Germany 2-0 to advance to maiden closing, await Italy or Australia

November 22, 2024

Tallon Griekspoor tied the bow on a stirring evening of Davis Cup drama on Friday, propelling the Netherlands into the historical past books with their semi-final overcome Germany.

The 28-year-old dug deep on Friday night in Malaga to beat Jan-Lennard Struff 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-4, securing the Dutchmen’s maiden closing within the nation’s 104-year historical past within the competitors. In a serving masterclass from each gamers, it was Griekspoor who held his nerve to seal a 2-0 victory in opposition to three-time champions Germany.

“We have now been speaking about this [moment] for 2 or three years,” mentioned Griekspoor. “We got here right here on a regular basis with unbelievably powerful attracts, however we believed in ourselves a lot. We all the time felt like this was potential. To do it now feels unbelievable. I’m so glad for the workforce, and for Holland.

“I simply tried to focus by myself sport. I felt like he was taking part in unbelievable tennis, I didn’t do a lot flawed within the first set. I’m tremendous happy with myself, tremendous happy with the hassle and really glad to get the win ultimately.”

The Dutch military makes historical past! 👏@DavisCup | #DavisCup | @KNLTB pic.twitter.com/GV6Bz91C6D

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 22, 2024

Griekspoor utilised the quick indoor courts to full impact with an explosive show, firing 25 aces and profitable 83 per cent (54/65) of factors behind his first supply. Struff performed his half in an exhilarating encounter, however the German will rue the 2 break factors he let slip in a vital eighth sport of the second set. 

Earlier, Botic van de Zandschulp bought the Netherlands up and working with a dramatic 6-4, 6-7(12), 6-3 win over Daniel Altmaier, changing on his tenth match level.

“I’m undecided truly [how I did it], I didn’t know what to do anymore on these match factors,” mentioned Van de Zandschulp, who improved to 2-0 in singles this week after his quarter-final win over Rafael Nadal on Tuesday. “Within the second set, I had 4-2 15-40, I felt like if I had made the double break there, it could be sport, set and match. Within the tie-break, he dealt with a few of the match factors fairly properly, truly.

“I had the hardest match of my life on Tuesday, so the whole lot that comes subsequent is a bit of bit simpler.”

10 Match factors and a couple of hours and 42 minutes later.. @Boticvdz pulls by means of an epic battle in opposition to Altmaier 6-4 6-7(12) 6-4!@DavisCup | #DavisCup | @knltbtennispic.twitter.com/cq2M5f4jVg

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 22, 2024

Main a set and 4-2 within the pair’s maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head assembly, Van de Zandschulp seemed to be cruising to victory however Altmaier, the No. 88 within the PIF ATP Rankings, discovered a late burst of vitality to ignite hopes of a comeback. Assisted by some impressed tennis, the German saved 5 match factors an exhilarating second-set tie-break earlier than forcing a decider.

Regardless of the shift in momentum, Van de Zandschulp steadied himself to earn the chance to serve out the match at 5-3. Holding with the theme of the conflict, nonetheless, the Dutchman let slip 4 additional match factors earlier than finally sealing victory after two hours, 42 minutes on his tenth try. 

The Netherlands await both reigning Davis Cup champions Italy or Australia, who face off within the different semi-final on Saturday.