The Spanish team faces a critical moment in the Davis Cup quarterfinals as Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers step onto the court for the decisive doubles match against Wesley Koolhof and Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands.
The tie, hosted in Málaga’s Martín Carpena Arena, stands at 1-1 after the singles matches, making this doubles encounter pivotal for a place in the semifinals.
Nadal’s tough defeat marks a possible farewell
In what could potentially be his final appearance in professional tennis, Rafael Nadal lost the opening singles match 6-4, 6-4 to Van de Zandschulp. The match saw Nadal struggle against the Dutch player’s consistency and power, leaving the Spanish legend’s fans emotional as they speculated on his retirement. Despite the loss, Nadal’s presence on the court reinforced his enduring passion for representing Spain in international tournaments.
Alcaraz levels the tie
Carlos Alcaraz brought hope back to the Spanish camp by winning his singles match against Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets, 7-6, 6-3. After a tightly contested first set that went to a tie-break, Alcaraz dominated the second set with a decisive break, showcasing his characteristic resilience and powerful baseline game. The victory ensured Spain remained in contention, setting up a thrilling doubles match as the tiebreaker.
The decisive doubles match
The doubles pairing of Alcaraz and Granollers promises to be a formidable challenge for the Dutch duo Koolhof and Van de Zandschulp. Alcaraz, riding high on his singles win, expressed his commitment to giving his all for Spain and in honor of Nadal, stating, “We will fight for the victory together. This is for Rafa and for Spain.”
The match, which began at 9.51 pm local time, opened with the Spanish pair securing the first game to lead 1-0. The intensity of the crowd at the Martín Carpena Arena mirrors the high stakes of the moment, as both teams battle for a coveted semifinal spot.
How to watch
Fans can catch the action live on Movistar+ via the Vamos channel (dial 7) and Movistar Deportes 2 (dial 64). Live updates are also being provided online.
Stay tuned for further updates on this decisive match as Spain fights for a place in the semifinals of the Davis Cup!