Match Report
Van de Zandschulp spoils Nadal farewell in Malaga
Netherlands leads Spain 1-0 in Davis Cup quarter-final tie
November 19, 2024
Thomas Coex/Getty Photos
Rafael Nadal in motion on the Davis Cup Closing 8 in Malaga.
By Jerome Coombe
Botic van de Zandschulp had no intention of following the script on Tuesday in his Davis Cup Closing 8 conflict with Rafael Nadal.
The 29-year-old eased to a 6-4, 6-4 win to place Netherlands 1-0 forward of their quarter-final tie in opposition to Spain. Unfazed by the magnitude of the event, Van de Zandschulp delivered a blow to Nadal’s hopes of drawing the curtain on his skilled profession with a sixth Davis Cup crown.
The load of Spain now falls on the shoulders of the present No. 3 within the PIF ATP Rankings, Carlos Alcaraz, who will intention to degree the tie when he takes Tallon Griekspoor. If the Spaniard is profitable, Wesley Koolhof, who can be retiring from the game on the finish of the occasion, will companion Van de Zandschulp in a deciding rubber in opposition to Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers. The winner of the tie will face both Germany or Canada within the semi-finals on Friday.
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