MADRID (REUTERS) – Champions Spain have been knocked out of the Davis Cup as favourites the Russian Tennis Federation booked their spot within the quarter-finals with an exciting victory in Madrid on Sunday (Nov 28).
Spanish duo Marcel Granollers and Feliciano Lopez wanted to win their doubles decider to ship Spain by way of at Serbia’s expense, however Aslan Karatsev and Andrey Rublev got here from a set down seal a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory and high spot for Russia in Group A.
Sweden and Novak Djokovic’s Serbia took the 2 greatest runner-up spots and a spot within the final eight by advantage of their higher match win-loss information among the many second-placed sides all through the group levels.
Spain wanted to win the tie towards Russia to progress to the final eight, with the 40-year-old Lopez defying his years to storm again from a set down and get the higher of world No. 5 Rublev, getting the defending champions off to the right begin in Madrid.
Rublev had simply picked up his fiftieth win of the yr the day before today, together with his energy hitting seeing him take the primary set, earlier than Lopez turned issues round to win the match 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
US Open champion Daniil Medvedev settled any Russian nerves within the second singles rubber towards Pablo Carreno Busta after making a blistering begin to the primary set, racing right into a 4-0 lead in below 11 minutes, earlier than taking it 6-2.
The world No. 2 made laborious work of the second, finally coming by way of in a tiebreak 7-6 (7-3) to win the match and take the tie to a doubles decider, with Russia dramatically profitable a good tussle to finish Spain’s hopes of retaining their title.
“We have been very shut nevertheless it was not sufficient,” stated Lopez. “It’s what it’s and I do not wish to give excuses. We confirmed everybody that we’re able to compete in any situations, even with so many points that we went by way of. It is so disappointing.”
Germany secured high spot in Group F and a quarter-final towards Britain after battling to a 2-1 success over Austria, with Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz sealing their progress with a straight-sets victory within the remaining doubles decider.
Colombia’s 2-1 victory over america in Turin mattered little as they completed second behind Italy in Group E, unable to seize among the best runner-up spots, as 32-time champions the US slipped out with a whimper.
Croatia, Kazakhstan and Britain progressed to the quarter-finals earlier on Sunday after the trio topped their respective teams, whereas 28-time champions Australia have been knocked out.
Britain received off to a poor begin towards the Czech Republic as they seemed to safe high spot in Group C.
Dan Evans misplaced his singles rubber towards Tomas Machac, earlier than British primary Cameron Norrie managed to stage and doubles pair Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski gained in straight units to take the tie 2-1 and safe high spot forward of France.
The primary quarter-final will get below approach on Monday, as Italy host Croatia in Turin, earlier than Britain face Germany in Innsbruck, Austria the next day.