Netherlands Clinch First Davis Cup Final Spot with Win Over Germany

TDT | Manama

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The Netherlands secured their place in the Davis Cup final for the first time in history with a thrilling 2-0 victory over Germany in the semifinals on Friday. The win marks a historic achievement for Dutch tennis, as they reach the final for the first time in 104 years of competing in the prestigious tournament.

In the second singles match, Tallon Griekspoor overcame Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff in a hard-fought encounter, winning 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 6-4 to seal the victory. The win came after Botic van de Zandschulp set the stage with a 6-4, 6-7 (12/14), 6-3 triumph over Germany’s Daniel Altmaier in the opening match.

The Dutch team had previously made headlines by knocking out Spain in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, an impressive feat that paved their way to this historic final. They now stand on the brink of glory, having ousted the three-time champions Germany, who were aiming for a sixth final appearance.

Dutch captain Paul Haarhuis, who was part of the team that last reached the semifinals 23 years ago, expressed immense pride in his team’s performance. "I’m unbelievably proud, they played so well," Haarhuis said after the match.

Van de Zandschulp's victory in the opening rubber was a gritty affair. The match stretched over two hours and 44 minutes, with Van de Zandschulp needing 10 match points to seal the win. "It could have been easier but I did it the hard way," said the Dutchman, reflecting on the challenge. "At some point, I didn’t know what to do anymore on the match points."

Despite a dominant start, Van de Zandschulp faced tough resistance from Altmaier in the second set, pushing the match into a tense tie-break. However, the Dutchman managed to dig deep, breaking in the third set to secure the win with his 10th match point.

The decisive second rubber saw Griekspoor battle past Struff in a gripping contest. The first set saw both players refusing to budge, with a tie-break needed to decide the winner. Struff took the set, but Griekspoor showed great resilience to bounce back, winning the next two sets, breaking Struff in the opening game of the third set and holding his serve with ease to claim victory. "I felt like the level of the match was unbelievable, both of us were serving unreal," Griekspoor said. "Big respect to him but very happy to make the final."

The Netherlands will now await their opponent in the Davis Cup final, hoping to continue their historic run and claim their first-ever title. The team’s journey has captivated tennis fans worldwide, and their determination on the court has made them an inspiring underdog story in the competition.