Monday, December 23, 2024

Davis Cup Final 8 confirmed as Netherlands sneak in ahead of Brazil and Belgium

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These are the teams who will be advancing to November’s knockout stage:

  • Italy
  • Argentina
  • United States
  • Australia
  • Germany
  • Canada
  • Netherlands
  • Spain

The draw for the Final 8 will be confirmed later this week, with Italy, Spain, the United States and Canada all seeded after winning their groups. Here’s a look at how the group stage played out.

Group A (Bologna, Italy)

  1. Italy | 3-0 | 6-3
  2. Netherlands | 1-2 | 4-5 | 8 sets won – 6 sets lost
  3. Brazil | 1-2 | 4-5 | 7-9
  4. Belgium 1-2 | 4-5 | 5-9

Italy maintained their unbeaten record in the Davis Cup Finals, topping Group A with three wins from three ties.

Second place, however, was determined by the finest of margins, with the Netherlands pipping Brazil and Belgium courtesy of a sets count back after all three teams ended on 1-2 ties, with 4-5 matches won-lost.

The Netherlands entered their final tie on Sunday needing to win at least one match to overtake Brazil. They left it late, losing both of their singles matches before Wesley Koolhof and Botic van de Zandschulp beat Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassoru 7-6 (6), 7-5 in the doubles.

Group B (Valencia, Spain)

  1. Spain | 3 wins – 0 losses | 7 games won – 2 lost
  2. Australia | 2-1 | 6-3
  3. France | 1-2 | 4-5
  4. Czech Republic | 0-3 | 1-8

Over in Group B, Spain were also undefeated. Australia nabbed second spot, losing only to Spain in their final tie, but beating both France and the Czech Republic. Despite having a strong contingent, France yet again failed to qualify for the last stage of the Davis Cup, continuing their poor run since the format changed in 2019.

Group C (Zhuhai, China)

  1. United States | 3-0 | 8-1
  2. Germany | 2-1 | 7-2
  3. Chile | 1-2 | 2-7
  4. Slovakia | 0-3 | 1-8

In Group C, the United States were impressive despite missing the majority of their top players. Brandon Nakashima was superb, however, leading America to a 3-0 sweep of their ties as the 23-year-old won all three of his singles matches.

Germany also looked strong, beating Chile and Slovakia 3-0 before losing 2-1 to the United States. Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz were particularly sharp, winning all three of their doubles matches in straight sets.

Group D (Manchester, UK)

  1. Canada | 3-0 | 7-2
  2. Argentina | 2-1 | 6-3
  3. Great Britain | 1-2 | 4-5
  4. Finland | 0-3 | 1-8

The return of Jack Draper could not save Great Britain, who fell on the final day against Canada to miss out on a spot in the Final 8. Instead, it was Canada and Argentina who advanced, with the former unbeaten across the week.

Both Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime were impressive for Canada, with the mercurial Canadians winning six points in the singles between them, and even combined for a doubles victory as well.

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