MALAGA/WASHINGTON, November 20, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)
Daniel Altmaier‘s calmness and Jan-Lennard Struff‘s energy provided Germany with contrasting emotions during their Davis Cup Final 8 quarterfinal tie against Canada Wednesday afternoon in Malaga, Spain.
Together, Altmaier and Struff also supplied Germany with a steady 1-2 punch against the youthful Canadians. In the end, the Germans took advantage of a lucky let cord, too.
Germany, who were bidding to reach the Davis Cup semifinals for the second time since the Davis Cup Finals were introduced in 2019, defeated Canada 2-0 inside Martín Carpena Arena to move into the last four.
The Germans will face the Netherlands in the semifinal round Friday at 5 p.m. CET.
The quarter-finalists are in the house
Germany vs Canada #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/cCfFsd9qZI
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 20, 2024
Earlier this week, Struff called the Davis Cup “a special event” and said: “I just know that the last time [Canada] beat us 2-1. I don’t care how we do it. I just want to win the tie. … It’s a team event and it counts that we win as a team.”
As it happened this time, Altmaier gave Germany a 1-0 lead after he defeated Gabriel Diallo, 7-6 (5), 6-4, in an hour and 57 minutes. What he may have lacked in experience, Altmaier held his nerve when it counted most.
Advantage Germany
Daniel Altmaier seals victory in straight sets to put Germany 1-0 up in the tie #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/j6pF7MCjlJ
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 20, 2024
First, during the opening set, Altmaier saved three break points during a 14-point eighth game to hold. Then, in the first set tie-break, he fought off Diallo to win 7-5 after squandering a 5-0 lead.
In the second set, on serve at 5-4, Altmaier battled back from down 15-40 to break his Canadian opponent in the 10th game to win the match. He finished with 10 aces, saved five of six break points and outpointed Diallo 88-76.
“Playing in the finals, I haven’t played Davis Cup the whole year,” Altmaier said during his on-court interview. “I’m proud to help the team get the first victory. I think we are in a great position now.
“The mental side is crucial. It’s a huge motivation for me. My fighting spirit helped me to win the first set and then I was getting into a better rhythm.”
Advantage Germany @daniel_altmaier with a straight sets win in the first match of the day @DavisCup | #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/8b55Dsbuy8
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 20, 2024
Next, it was Struff’s turn to fight his way through the pressure of the moment. If he could defeat Denis Shapovalov with his aggressive demeanor and powerful groundstrokes, it would mean Germany wouldn’t have to play the deciding doubles point and they would advance to the semifinals.
“Obviously, winning two singles is the priority,” Shapovalov said during his team’s pre-tie news conference, “but with the format it’s always extremely difficult.” After Canada lost the first match, Shapovalov’s goal was to get the tie to doubles. However, he would have to beat Struff first.
We’re going all the way
Struff levels the match to take us to a deciding set #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/D4sg64o8Kl
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 20, 2024
At a set each, Struff found himself serving for the match against Shapovalov at 5-4. Yet, he couldn’t quite put it away.
Struff was broken by Shapovalov after double-faulting on break point at 15-40. It was his third double fault of the match. However, Shapovalov was unable to seize the moment and promptly served back-to-back double faults to fall behind love-30. Then, after saving a match point, the Canadian lefty followed with his 27th ace and went on to hold for 6-5. Next, Stuff worked his way out of trouble during his issuing service game and managed the pressure well enough to get to a final-set tie-break.
Denis dancing his way around the court ✨#DavisCup | @TennisCanada pic.twitter.com/EF4zmHhdY7
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 20, 2024
Soon, Struff re-grouped and, finally, managed to get the job done. He secured victory by winning the tie-break 7-5. It occurred after Shapovalov double-faulted on match point – his 13th double-fault of the match – when his second serve hit the let cord, bounced up and dropped outside of the service box. It provided a costly and surprising – if not disappointing – end for Canada, which won the 2022 Davis Cup title but was playing without its best player, Felix Auger-Aliassime, this week in Malaga.
After battling injuries and adversity throughout much of the 2024 ATP Tour season, Struff was extremely happy to help contribute the clinching point for Germany. He played tremendous tennis at times, got through the nerves that go with playing in a big Davis Cup tie, and played the big points just well enough to get over the finish line. Struff hit eight aces, won 77 percent of his first-serve points, and converted two of eight break points – all despite being outpointed by Shapovalov 111-104.
Jan-Lennard Struff sends his team into the semi-finals ✨
He beats Denis Shapovalov 4-6 7-5 7-6#DavisCup pic.twitter.com/ZjpdB9VMno
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 20, 2024
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“Today I think both players deserved to win. But I’m happy to get it over the line at the end,” Struff said during his on-court interview after his victory. “Denis was playing amazing, coming out firing.”
Indeed, Shapovalov won 90 percent of his first-serve points, losing just six points.
“It was a very tough match. He was serving so well throughout the whole match. It was incredible. He was serving second serves like 180 (kilometers per hour). It was tough to return. The court was very fast.
“Yeah, I had my chance. I broke him to serve for the match,” Struff added. “I didn’t play my best game but he was there; he hit some winners.
“In the tie-break, I went up 4-3. He hit an amazing forehand winner. Incredible match, very close and very tight. I’m just happy to get over [the finish] line at the end. …
“I’m just happy to get for my country the point.”
STRUFF GETS IT DONE! @Struffitennis seals the tie for Team Germany after a remarkable comeback against Shapovalov! @DavisCup | #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/0DSurVrDgg
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 20, 2024
Germany’s team captain, Michael Kohlmann, who has guided the German team since 2015 and now has a 20-9 tie win-loss record as captain, was both happy and relieved by the outcome of his team’s quarterfinal tie – especially to see Struff step up in the absence of German No. 1 Alexander Zverev, who was not available to play for Germany in Malaga.
“Denis was playing unbelievable today, he started off great,” Kohlmann said. “It was tough for Jan-Lennard to stay in the match. How he managed to comeback in the second set to turn the table around a little bit, and to be the better player at the end, was amazing. It’s why he’s been one of our key players on our Davis Cup team for 10 years.
“So many emotions and so much energy. It was just fun to be here.”
By the numbers
Germany has reached the Davis Cup semifinals for the second time since the Davis Cup Finals were introduced in 2019. This is their fifth Finals appearance. Meanwhile, Canada was appearing in the quarterfinals for the third consecutive year and fourth time in five Davis Cup seasons.
“Quotable …”
“We’re a great team, and we give all, everything, and have great support from not only the players, just the whole team. It’s always incredible these Davis Cup weeks. Very pleased and honored to play for Germany again.”
– Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany, during Team Germany’s pre-tournament news conference.
