Davis Cup: Spain and Australia safely through
The Spanish team led by Rafael Nadal has clinched victory in Group B at the Davis Cup final tournament in Madrid with a win against Croatia. In addition, Australia was safe as a group first. The decision between the US and Italy was adjourned for reasons of time.
by Robert M. Frank
last edit: Nov 21, 2019, 01:19 am
As in the first group game in Russia's 2-1 draw, Rafael Nadal (ATP 1) also helped in the second Spanish game at the Davis Cup final in Madrid. With a 6: 4, 6: 3 against Borna Gojo (ATP 280), the world number one for the second pre-decisive match win, after his compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut (ATP 9) the single listed non-listed athlete Nikola Mektic with 6: 1, 6: 3 had conquered. A win in the doubles together with Marcel Granollers against Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic ensured in a row for the third match point.
While the defending champion Croatia defeated 3-0 in the first group match against Russia, Nadal's team secured victory in Group B ahead of the Russia team, who can hope to progress as second in the group.
Fognini wins and Berrettini loses
In the other two duels of the groups D and F, which took place in the evening, there were two knockout duels for the quarter-finals. The duel for first place and two in group D went to Australia. Australian Nick Kyrgios (ATP 30) beat Steve Darcis (ATP 158) 6-2, 7-6. Alex de Minaur (ATP 18) made it 6-0, 7-6 against David Goffin (ATP 11) for the preliminary decision to 2: 0. This Australia is sure to continue as group winners. Belgium, on the other hand, still has to wait to see if the team qualify as one of the top two runners out of the six groups for the quarter-finals.
The safe exit was in the match between Italy and the USA. Only the winner of the two defeated in each case in the first round teams still had a chance to progress. This option could not be used by either team until shortly after midnight, as the two singles moved too long and after a 1-1 tie, the deciding double was played late at night. Previously, Fabio Fognini (ATP 12) defeated Reilly Opelka (ATP 36) 6: 4, 6: 7, 6: 3 and compatriot Matteo Berrettini (ATP 8) 7: 5, 6: 7, 2: 6 against Taylor Fritz (ATP 32) lost. The doubles of Simone Bolelli / Andreas Seppi against Sam Querrey / Jack Sock then had to bring the decision to win into the night.