Australia’s tennis team has reached the Davis Cup final and is playing for the 29th title in the traditional team competition in Malaga.
Alexei Popyrin and Alex de Minaur made it 2-0 in the semi-final against Finland. In the final on Sunday (November 26th, 2023) it will be against either Serbia with world number one Novak Djokovic or the strong Italians with top player Jannik Sinner. The duel between the favorites will take place on Saturday (from 12 p.m.).
Australia had already made it to the final last year, but missed out on triumph against Canada. The proud tennis nation, serial winners of the 50s and 60s, has been waiting for the next Davis Cup success since 2003.
Popyrin takes the lead
“This competition is our priority and we are doing everything we can to represent Australia with pride and passion”said de Minaur. Team captain Lleyton Hewitt agreed with his number one. The final means something to him “Really a lot. Our boys really gave it their all. We are a close-knit unit, now we have another chance on Sunday”said the former world number one, who was there at the last Australian triumph 20 years ago.
Against Finland, who had surprisingly defeated defending champion Canada in the quarter-finals, Popyrin put Australia in the lead with a 7:6 (7:5), 6:2 against Otto Virtanen. De Minaur secured victory in the top singles against Emil Ruusuvuori (6:4, 6:3).
German team avoids relegation
The German team missed the final tournament of the best eight teams, but secured relegation in the world group after losing in the first round against Switzerland. This means that next spring it will once again be a matter of qualifying for the final rounds.