VALENCIA, April 8, 2017
For the first time since 2012, Spain are back in the semi-finals of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, as David Ferrer clinched the fifth and final point for the hosts against Germany in Valencia. The World No. 33 fought past Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6, 3-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-5 in an epic battle inside the Plaza de Toros on Sunday afternoon.
In windy conditions, both players won the same amount of points, but Ferrer gained the decisive break in the 11th game of the fifth set and served the tie out after four hours and 51 minutes.
#ESPGER ¡Impresionante final! Así ganó @DavidFerrer87 su partido en el quinto set contra Kohlschreiber. ¡De película!
🇪🇸🆚🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/hRlMMPdIJp— Copa Davis (@CopaDavis) 8. April 2018
“Philipp is a very good player. It was very close match and it was very difficult to beat him,” Ferrer told during his post-match press conference.
“I was maybe luckier or played better in the important moments. I tried to forget my loss on Friday. I knew that I will get another chance on Sunday. So I was very focused on the final match. I am really happy for this moment. It is an amazing feeling to play in front of my family and friends. It was just perfect.”
Spain keeps their incredible Davis Cup record at home intact, having not lost on home soil since Gustavo Kuerten and Brazil prevailed in 1999.
“I feel so much emotion. The match that they both played was unbelievable. This is very special for David who we all love. He is one of the greatest people on the circuit and he deserves a match like this,” Spain’s team captain Sergi Bruguera told.
“I think both deserved to win. I think Philipp played one of the best matches I have ever seen him play. The match was an incredible level of tennis and incredible intensity.”
Spain will next travel to France for the stage of the final four.
Nadal beats Zverev
Rafael Nadal (photo: Alvaro Diaz)
Earlier in the day, Rafael Nadal showed an impressive performance to draw Spain level in the quarterfinal clash. The World No. 1 outclassed Germany’s top-ranked player Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-4, 6-4. Nadal hit 21 winners and outpointed his young opponent 94-69 to prevail after two hours and 16 minutes.
“It was never going to be easy so I’m very happy to get an important victory for me and the team,” Nadal told.
“I’m very happy with my level, the first set was fantastic in such an important match. It’s a great feeling and very unique to play here in front of my people. It was a great match for me in an unbelievable atmosphere.”
Zverev said:“It was not gerat but there was no way for me to perform at my best today.
“I came from Miami on Monday. I practiced on clay three times before I played Ferrer and yesterday I played for about 30 minutes. I was surprised that I won against Ferrer kind of easily. Today I faced the best clay-court player of all time.
“If you take that all together, it is not easy. I was missing a few balls ,which I normally don’t miss…It’s fine that I lost…I am also tired after Miami. I will next fly home and relax.”
