ODENSE, September 20, 2015
The Danish team tried hard but eventually they couldn’t prevent a Spanish 5-0 whitewash at the Davis Cup Zone Group I Play-Offs in Odense.
Roberto Bautista-Agut substituted Rafael Nadal in the first dead rubber on Sunday, facing Frederik Nielsen. The 27-year-old Spaniard showed no mercy with his opponent and clinched a 6-3, 6-4 victory in only 54 minutes. Bautista-Agut won 81% of his first service points and was pleased with his performance.
Roberto Bautista-Agut
“I played a serious match on a fast surface, which actually doesn’t suit our game the best. But I really wanted to play one match this weekend and I enjoyed the atmosphere on court today,” the world number 22 told afterwards. “It is a pleasure for me being part of this team with great players. I hope to be back in the squad for many more times,” he said and added that he will go to Russia on Monday to compete at the St. Petersburg Open. “I have been practicing well and I played well this part of the season. I feel confident and great on court. I will continue to work hard to finish the year with good results.”
In the final match, David Ferrer cruised past Mikael Torpegaard in only 57 minutes, winning 6-1, 6-3. The world number 8 didn’t face a break point and capitalized on four of his own to complete the tie.
David Ferrer and Mikael Torpegaard
“I played a solid first set, better than in the second. My opponent is pretty young and has a good serve and maybe he will have a good future. It will be important for him to play more matches like these, getting more experience,” Ferrer told afterwards.
“We won all of our matches this weekend and therewith we achieved our main goal to stay in the Group I of the Davis Cup. And next year we hope to get back to the World Group,” the 33-year-old said. “If the captain wants me to play next year, I will be there. We will see, there is still a long time to go until next July,” he stated and added that he will return to Spain now and then continue on the tour playing in Kuala Lumpur to start the Asian swing.
Spain secured their stay in the Zone Group I for 2016. The Danish team will host Sweden in the second round Play-Offs, taking place from October 30 to November 1, to prevent being relegated to Group II.
