The first match was won by the Batavians thanks to the first point scored by van de Zandschulp. The Dutchman, 80th in the world, beat Rafael Nadal with a double 6-4 after 1h52 of play. ‘Rafa’, winner of 22 Grand Slam tournaments and 4 Silver Bowls, therefore ends his career with a defeat and an elimination in the Davis Cup.
“In a way, this defeat is perhaps positive. It was my last match, probably my last match. I lost my first Davis Cup match (in 2004), I just lost my last match. The circle is closed“, confided at a press conference the man who won 14 titles at Roland-Garros and who will now put away his rackets.
“At this point in my career, I can’t really complain. I did my best, I tried to enjoy it, it didn’t work.“
Alcaraz, 3rd in the world, had nevertheless given his country hope by snatching victory in the second singles match against the Dutchman Tallon Griekenspoor (ATP 40) in two sets 7-6 (7/0), 6-3 after 1 hour and 25 minutes of play.
In the last four, the Netherlands will meet the winner of the match between Canada (N.3) and Germany (N.5), which lines up without world No.2 Alexander Zverev. The Dutch reached the semi-finals for the second time in their history after 2001.
In the other part of the table, the quarter-finals will pit Jannik Sinner’s Italy, N.1 and defending champion, against Argentina (N.15) and the United States (N.4) against Australia (N.2).
Each confrontation takes place in the best of three matches: two singles followed by a possible double. The final is scheduled for Sunday in the city where another Spanish legend, the painter Pablo Picasso, was born.
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