Germany’s path to its first Davis Cup title in 32 years leads through Spain. Even without top star Carlos Alcaraz and the eliminated number two, the hurdle in the semi-finals (Saturday, 12 p.m.) is high.
Judging by their world ranking positions, Spain could have fielded an outstanding team at the Davis Cup final tournament in Bologna, Italy. But Carlos Alcaraz, the world number one, had to withdraw at short notice due to edema in his thigh. And Alejandro Davidovic Fokina (14th place) was surprisingly not nominated. He would have been the second-best-placed player in the final tournament after Germany’s Alexander Zverev (3).
The decision against Fokina has the potential for conflict, which was also shown at the press conference on Tuesday in Bologna. Asked whether he regretted Fokina’s non-nomination after Alcaraz’s rejection, Spain team boss David Ferrer simply replied: “Next question.” He finally explained the decision two weeks ago.
Ferrer punishes Fokina
At that time, Ferrer pointed out in a radio interview with COPE that Fokina had previously canceled the qualifying rounds at short notice. “If he tells me again that he can’t play because of physical and mental fatigue, what should I do?”
He called Fokina and informed him of the decision. Also that he has a fifth place available to see how the season ends. “He told me not to count on him if he wasn’t in the first squad”said Ferrer.
Fokina himself told Marca that he believed he deserved to be among the top four players in his country. “With all due respect to my teammates, who are also great players.”
Narrow win against strong Czechs
In the quarter-finals against the Czech Republic, Ferrer’s controversial personnel decision initially seemed to take revenge. Pablo Carreno Busta, number 89 in the world, 75 places lower than Fokina, lost the opening singles against Jakub Mensik (19) 5:7, 4:6. Jaume Munar (36) then kept Spain alive with a 6:3, 6:4 against Jiri Lehecka (17).
The Spaniards have a specialist in doubles: Marcel Granollers, currently the third best doubles player in the world. Alongside Pedro Martinez, he secured the decisive second point against Tomas Machac and Jakub Mensik with a highly exciting 7:6 (10:8), 7:6 (10:8).
Double in focus
So Spain goes into the semi-finals against Germany with a thriller win behind them, but will face a similarly intoxicated opponent. Germany’s 2-1 win over Argentina was even more dramatic because Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz had to fend off three match points in the deciding doubles match. “In the end we were a bit lucky too”said Krawietz after the 4:6, 6:4, 7:6 (12:10) against Andres Molteni and Horacio Zeballos.
Germany’s team boss Michael Kohlmann believes that the semi-finals will also come down to a decisive double. “And we have won there more often in the past.” Spain has a strong team even without Alcaraz. “I expect a really tough duel.”
Struff or Hanfmann
In all likelihood, veteran Jan-Lennard Struff will once again compete in the first individual. The 35-year-old has an unfortunate 6:7, 6:7 defeat against the Argentinian Tomas Etcheverry and a negative score of 1:3 against Carreno Busta. But Struff has a lot of Davis Cup experience and has already won important victories for Germany.
An alternative would be Yannick Hanfmann, who is one year younger after some strong results this fall. However, he has lost his only duel so far with Carreno Busta.
Zverev with “very good level”
In the second singles, Zverev is the favorite after his mostly confident 6:4, 7:6 against Francisco Cerundolo. “I thought I showed a very good level today and I’m very happy about it,” said Zverev.
He last met the Spaniard Munar at the Olympics in Paris, but he doesn’t want to overstate the clear 6:2, 6:2 there. “I think he’s playing a lot better now than he did back then,” said Zverev.
Zverev wants to sleep late
His strategy in preparation: sleep in on Friday, “Whether someone forbids me or not.” He cheered on the German doubles until late into the night and seemed to enjoy the team event. “I don’t have a voice anymore. It’s like after a nightclub party. If someone wakes me up before twelve o’clock, they’re ignored.”
Germany’s top player is back at the Davis Cup for the first time after a three-year break and believes he has a chance of winning the title. This would mean that his plan would work out, after one for him “incredibly unsatisfactory“Season to find a conciliatory conclusion.