Spain and Germany advanced to the Davis Cup semi-finals after winning quarter-final matches in Bologna. Both nations defeated their opponents 2-1 on Thursday evening.
Spain recovered from an early deficit to beat the Czech Republic. Germany overcame Argentina by the same scoreline in Thursday’s second quarter-final.
Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez sealed Spain’s victory in the decisive doubles rubber. The Spanish pair defeated Tomas Machac and Jakub Mensik 7-6 (10/8), 7-6 (10/8).
Jaume Munar levelled Spain’s tie earlier by defeating Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-4. His victory cancelled out Pablo Carreno Busta’s opening loss to Mensik.
World number 19 Mensik had given Czech Republic the lead. He beat Carreno Busta 7-5, 6-4 in Thursday’s opening singles match.
Spain entered the tournament without star player Carlos Alcaraz. The world number one withdrew on Tuesday with a hamstring injury.
Alcaraz suffered the injury during Sunday’s ATP Finals defeat to Jannik Sinner. The six-time Grand Slam champion initially denied the injury affected his performance.
Three top-10 players have withdrawn from the Davis Cup finals in northern Italy. Fans cannot see Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti represent Italy either.
Alexander Zverev leads Germany as the tournament’s highest-ranked remaining player. The world number three levelled Germany’s tie against Argentina.
Zverev defeated Francisco Cerundolo 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) in the decisive second singles. His victory came after Tomas Martin Etcheverry put Argentina ahead.
Etcheverry beat Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (9/7) in Thursday’s opening match. The Argentine’s victory gave his nation an early advantage.
Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz completed Germany’s comeback in the doubles rubber. They defeated Andres Molteni and Horacio Zeballos 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (12/10).
Spain faces Germany in Saturday’s second semi-final match. The nations will compete for a place in Sunday’s Davis Cup final.
Italy plays Belgium in Friday’s first semi-final before a home crowd. The winners advance to face either Spain or Germany.
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