It was from the stands that Rafael Nadal watched Spain’s elimination from the Davis Cup, which put an end to his playing career, on Tuesday in Malaga.
After the legendary athlete lost the first quarterfinal matchup, world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz put Spain and the Netherlands back on level terms with a 7-6 (0), 6-3 win over Tallon Griekspoor (40th).
The Netherlands, however, won the deciding doubles match 7-6, 7-6 to advance to the semi-finals.
Nadal lost to Botic van de Zandschulp at the start of the day.
The winners played for a place in the final against either Germany or Canada, who face each other on Wednesday from noon in the quarter-finals.
On Tuesday, Alcaraz was the first to get broken while trailing 3-2. But he immediately resumed Griekspoor’s service and confirmed his break recovery on his put in to pick up at 4-4 and then push the Dutchman to the tie break, in which Griekspoor did not score a point.
In the second set, Alcaraz quickly broke away at 3-0 and then managed his lead to win the set 6-3 on his first match point.
Canada
