Davis Cup, Germany-Spain semi-final: timetable, matches

Spain orphaned by Alcaraz or Germany led by Zverev. Whatever happens, we will talk about them. One as a stony guest who cheers and suffers in front of the TV, the other as a protagonist against his will on the pitch. Carlos injured, Sasha revitalized. He had branded this Davis as a simple “performance”, reluctantly accepting his friend Struff’s invitation. He changed his mind, starting the comeback against Argentina thanks to the success in singles against Cerundolo and cheering the doubles players Krawietz and Puetz at the top of his lungs from the bench, until one in the morning. “Like a night at the disco, I no longer have a voice,” he said immediately after the 2-1 win that gave the Germans the semi-final.

history

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Today at noon there is an appointment with history. For both national teams. The last time Spain arrived in Davis’ G4, in 2019, they then won the title, with the “vamos” of a certain Rafa Nadal. Germany also got there last year, but they were missing Zverev who, these days, is the only top ten present in the tennis arena set up at the Bologna Fair. The project, for the Germans, is even more ambitious: to exploit the driving force of the world number 3 to bring home a trophy that has been missing for 32 years, that is, since the days of Michael Stich. For his part, Zverev would like to receive at least a piece of the glory of Boris Becker, the icon who lately does not stop criticizing him. If “Bum Bum” is absolutely unapproachable – just think of the 6 Slams won, compared to which Sascha’s 3 finals fade – the current German leader could begin to emulate him in Davis. Fans still remember the double final won by Becker’s Germany against eternal rival Edberg’s Sweden, in 1988 and 1989. “You know how I feel about the current Davis format: I think it is much more stimulating to play at home or away, with the warmth of a more involved fan. But now I’m here and I will do everything I can to help Germany win”, proclaims Zverev.

ransom

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Just eight days ago he lost in Turin to Auger-Aliassime and was kicked out of the Finals, concluding a year of tour that was not at all satisfactory, with only one title won (and not even a Masters, but the 500 in Monaco) and less than half the points of Alcaraz and Sinner. Davis can be his redemption. After Cerundolo he will face another ground player, Jaume Munar who, in the absence of n.1 Alcaraz and n.14 Davidovich Fokina, the Spanish captain Ferrer promoted to first singles player. Munar, 36th in the rankings, collected just four games in his last head-to-head clash with Zverev, at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. “But he’s playing much better than he did back then,” Sascha puts his hands forward.

double

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Before them, numbers 2 will take the field today: Carreno Busta (89 Atp) and Struff (84 Atp). The Spaniard is ahead 3-1 in previous matches, but the last time they faced each other dates back to five years ago. The truth is that the prediction is open, and then the name of the finalist could only emerge in the doubles, where there are at least three super specialists: the Germans Krawietz and Puetz, sixth in this year’s Race and with 19 victories in 20 Davis matches, and the Spanish Granollers, champion of Roland Garros and US Open, flanked by Pedro Martinez who this year achieved an en plein with the Spanish jersey (5 successes out of 5).

THE CAPTAINS

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“Everything could be decided again in the doubles. And in the past we have often brought it home. Against Argentina we were several times one step away from the abyss but we managed to pull ourselves out. We are still here and at this point we cultivate the great dream of winning the cup”, says German captain Kohlmann. “If we managed to come back in Marbella against Denmark and here in Bologna against the Czech Republic it is because we are united and have faith in each other. This is the way to work well in Davis. It is clear that big names can bring victories, but the group is the most important thing”, replies Ferrer.