Canada shines again in Group A and the US makes up for its disappointment in Group D
“We want to win the title, for us it is important to see how the series evolves,” warns Djokovic before facing Ferrer’s pupils
MADRID, 14 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Czech tennis team beat South Korea 3-0 this Thursday in Group C of the access phase to the Final 8 of the Davis Cup, during a matchday 3 in which Canada beat Sweden 3-0 inside In Group A, Australia beat France 2-1 in Group B and the Netherlands beat the United States 2-1 in Group D.
In Group C, which is being played at the La Fuente de San Luis Pavilion (Valencia), the Czech Republic confirmed its good feelings in this group stage of the Finals. A day after beating the Spanish team 0-3 and without suffering, Jaroslav Navratil’s pupils achieved another success against their South Korean rivals.
Although mathematically they did not celebrate their ticket to the Final 8 to be held next November in Malaga, Czechia took a big step and further hardened Spain’s path. Not in vain, the team led by David Ferrer will play this Friday (starting at 3:00 p.m.) against Serbia in its second group match.
“I am happy to be in Spain and in Valencia representing my country. It is a privilege,” said Serbian Novak Djokovic at a press conference. “In recent years I couldn’t be here and I want this year to be different, so I can be in Malaga,” warned the Belgrade native, recent US Open champion and enormous threat to Spain.
“I’m not as fresh as I would like, I haven’t had much time to recover and get back to my intensity. But I hope to adapt my body in a few days to be at the disposal of my country and contribute to the team, playing and winning points,” Djokovic explained. about his role in La Fonteta.
“I hope to see a full court in Valencia. Spain is a country with a tennis tradition. We want to win the Davis Cup, for us it is important to see how the series evolves, after what happened last year. We are in an interesting competition until final. Last year we did not qualify by a set, that is why it is important to fight for all the points,” argued the current number 1 in the ATP ranking.
Having beaten South Korea 3-0 on Matchday 1, both Serbia and now the Czech Republic start with an advantage against Ferrer’s charges. Looking ahead to their commitments this Thursday, Navratil once again trusted Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka for the individual matches.
Thus, Seongchan Hong fell 7-6(8), 4-6 and 6-2 against Machac in two hours and 47 minutes, while Soonwoo Kwon lost 6-1 and 7-5 against Lehecka in less than an hour and room. To finish off the task, the Czech Republic won the doubles after beating Jakub Mensik and Adam Pavlasek 3-6, 7-6(5) and 6-4 over Jisung Nam and Minkyu Song in just over two hours.
CANADA SHINES AGAIN AND THE US MAKES UP ITS DISAPPOINTMENT
In Group A, which is played in Bologna (Italy), Canada shone again. Vasek Pospisil’s singles victories over Leo Borg (7-6[5]5-7 and 6-2) and Gabriel Diallo over Elias Ymer (6-4 and 6-3) channeled their battle against Sweden, closed with Alexis Galarneau and Pospisil himself beating Filip Bergevi and André Göransson (7-6[9] y 7-6[3]).
In Group B, which takes place in Manchester (United Kingdom), the Australian team beat France. The first single went to Adrian Mannarino 7-6(4) and 6-4 against Max Purcell. However, Australian Alex de Minaur equalized the contest, winning 7-6(2) and 6-3 against Ugo Humbert. The decisive doubles was won by Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell himself 7-5 and 6-3 against Nicolas Mahut and Édouard Roger-Vasselin.
Finally, at the venue in Split (Croatia), Group D experienced a long and intense matchup between the Netherlands and the USA, and the ‘tulips’ smiled. First, Botic van de Zandschulp beat Tommy Paul 7-6(2) and 6-2; and then Tallon Griekspoor did the same against Frances Tiafoe (6-3, [7]6-7 y 7-6[3]).
The American disappointment was covered up thanks to the doubles match, where Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram came back to win (5)6-7, 7-6(3) and 6-3 against the Dutch duo formed by Wesley Koolhof and Matwe Middelkoop.