Tallon Griekspoor and Botic van de Zandschulp win historic Davis Cup night against Netherlands | ATP Tour

Matching Report

Griekspoor and Botic make history on Davis Cup night in the Netherlands

The Dutch beat Germany 2-0 to advance to their first final, awaiting either Italy or Australia

November 22, 2024

Tallon Griekspoor wrapped up a tense night of Davis Cup action on Friday, propelling the Netherlands into the history books with their semi-final win over Germany.

The 28-year-old went deep on Friday evening in Malaga with a 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-4 win over Jan-Lennard Struff, reaching the first final for a Dutchman in the tournament’s 104-year history. In the match for both players, it was Griekspoor who held their own to win 2-0 against the three-time German champions.

“We have been talking about this for a long time [moment] two or three years,” said Griekspoor. “We kept coming here struggling unbelievably, but we believed in ourselves a lot. We always felt this was possible. Doing it now feels incredible. I am very happy with the team, and Holland.

“I just tried to focus on my game. I felt like he was playing unbelievable tennis, I didn’t do anything bad in the first set. I’m very proud of myself, I’m proud of the effort and I’m very happy to finally get the win.”

The Dutch army makes history! 👏@DavisCup | #DavisCup | @KNLTB pic.twitter.com/GV6Bz91C6D

– ATP Tour (@atptour) November 22, 2024

Griekspoor quickly used the indoor courts to their full advantage, firing 25 aces and winning 83 percent (54/65) of the points after their first serve. Struff played his part in a thrilling match, but the German would squander the two break points he conceded in the crucial eighth game of the second set.

Earlier, Botic van de Zandschulp sparked the Netherlands with a stunning 6-4, 6-7(12), 6-3 win over Daniel Altmaier, converting his 10th match point.

“Actually, I’m not sure [how I did it]I didn’t know what to do at those match points,” said Van de Zandschulp, who improved to 2-0 in singles this week after his quarter-final win over Rafael Nadal on Tuesday. “In the second set, I was 4-2 15-40, I felt like if I made a double break it would be a game, a set and a game. At halftime, he handled the rest of the game well.

“I had the hardest game of my life on Tuesday, so everything that follows is a little bit easier.”

10 game points and 2 hours and 42 minutes later.. @Boticvdz he goes through an epic battle against Altmaier 6-4 6-7(12) 6-4!@DavisCup | #DavisCup | @knltbtennispic.twitter.com/cq2M5f4jVg

– ATP Tour (@atptour) November 22, 2024

Leading 4-2 in the first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting, Van de Zandschulp appeared headed for victory but Altmaier, number 88 in the PIF ATP Rankings, found a late burst of energy to revive hopes of a comeback. . Aided by some inspired tennis, the German saved five match points in a thrilling second-set break before forcing a decider.

Despite the change in momentum, Van de Zandschulp held on for a chance to take the match at 5-3. In keeping with the theme of collisions, however, the Dutchman conceded another four points before winning after two hours, 42 minutes on his tenth attempt.

The Netherlands await the reigning Davis Cup champions Italy or Australia, who will meet in the other semi-final on Saturday.