Argentina is on the brink of securing back-to-back Davis Cup Final 8 spots after Francisco Cerundolo and Tomas Martin Etcheverry clinched key singles victories against 2024 finalists Netherlands on Friday.
Etcheverry Strikes First
Etcheverry set the tone with a straight-sets 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Jesper de Jong. The Argentine sealed victory on his fourth match point, giving his nation the opening advantage in Groningen.
“It feels incredible,” Etcheverry said after his win, according to DavisCup.com. “I played very well. Getting the first point is really important.
“I’m very proud because I know what I did the past few weeks and how I have been training for this. It feels amazing. I love it. Davis Cup is really fun and I love to play here.”
Cerundolo Dominates Van de Zandschulp
World No. 21 Francisco Cerundolo followed with a 7-6(4), 6-1 victory against home favorite Botic van de Zandschulp. Despite a nervy start in front of a vocal Dutch crowd, Cerundolo captured his 33rd tour-level win this season, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
The opening set featured six service breaks, but Cerundolo’s early 4-0 lead in the tie-break proved decisive. His momentum carried into the second set, where he raced through with commanding baseline play.
Other Davis Cup Qualifiers Action
United States vs Czechia
In Delray Beach, Taylor Fritz kept Team USA alive by defeating Jakub Mensik 6-4, 6-3 to level the tie at 1-1. The World No. 5 avenged his Miami semi-final loss to Mensik, improving his Lexus ATP Head2Head lead to 2-1.
“It’s great. It’s great obviously playing for Team USA,” Fritz said. “The crowd tonight was great in Delray. I love being in Delray and we needed this one, so it feels great to come out and deliver for the team.”
Earlier, Czech No. 1 Jiri Lehecka gave his side the lead with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 win over Frances Tiafoe.
Germany vs Japan
Germany powered to a 2-0 advantage in Tokyo. Jan-Lennard Struff edged Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-4, saving all 10 break points he faced. Yannick Hanfmann sealed the day with a convincing 6-3, 6-3 victory against Shintaro Mochizuki.
France vs Croatia
France surged 2-0 ahead against Croatia. Corentin Moutet earned his first Davis Cup win by defeating #NextGenATP Dino Prizmic 6-4, 5-7, 6-1. Arthur Rinderknech then overcame former World No. 3 Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-4 to double the advantage.
Austria vs Hungary
Austria also secured a 2-0 lead. Jurij Rodionov outlasted Fabian Marozsan 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5, and Lukas Neumayer edged Marton Fucsovics 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(7).
What’s Next
Argentina, Davis Cup champions in 2016, now needs one more win on Saturday to confirm its spot in February’s Final 8. With doubles and reverse singles still to come, the South American side will aim to close the tie against Netherlands in style.
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