BOLOGNA, September 18, 2022
Croatia defeated Argentina 3-0 in Group A of the Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals at the Unipol Arena in Bologna on Saturday. Borna Gojo beat Sebastian Baez 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 and then Borna Coric sealed the tie with a 6-4, 7-6(6) win over Francisco Cerundolo. Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic won the doubles rubber 6-2, 7-5 over Maximo Gonzalez and Horacio Zeballos.
However, Croatia will have to wait until Sweden plays Italy on Sunday to confirm whether or not it will be in Malaga from 22–27 November for the final showdown.
Triple W 😎
Mektic/Pavic make it 3️⃣-0️⃣ Croatia with a 6-2 7-5 triumph#DavisCup #byRakuten | @hts_sluzbeni pic.twitter.com/srnvPcPsI7
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 17, 2022
United States, Netherlands qualified for Final 8
Turned out it was Group D as in Dutch this week in Glasgow, as the Netherlands beat the United States 2-1 to advance to the Davis Cup Final 8 as the top seed out of the four-nation Group in Scotland.
Coincidentally, it was an earlier Dutch victory – 2-1 over Great Britain on Friday night – that also sent the US-American team through to the same Final 8, a knockout-style quarterfinal bracket that will crown this year’s Davis Cup champion.
“Obviously it would have been nice to finish top of the group, but there’s a lot of tough teams in Malaga regardless,” acting U.S. Davis Cup captain Bob Bryan said. “Looks like we’re playing Italy. We’ll be ready for that one when we get there, but I’m proud of the fellas for the way they competed this week. This was a very tough group here, especially with (Great Britain) having all those fans. But I’m very impressed with the Netherlands team. They got a great doubles team and they have two fantastic young singles players that can beat anyone on this surface. Our guys I thought competed hard, but it was just too good by the Dutch. The guys will get some rest – it’s been a long summer, and we’ll go home and get ready for the big one.”
With both nations already qualified for the Final 8, the Netherlands’ victory over the U.S. means the Dutch will play their quarterfinal tie against the loser of Australia against Germany, the two nations advancing out of Group C that are playing on Sunday in Hamburg for seeding in Malaga.
It also means the Americans are likely destined for a quarterfinal matchup vs. Italy, who is projected to finish atop Group A. Italy also finishes Group Stage play on Sunday vs. Sweden in Bologna.
The U.S. will play its quarterfinal tie in Malaga on Thursday, November 24 – Thanksgiving Day – beginning at 10 a.m. Central European Time, or 4 a.m. ET.
DAY FIVE RESULTS
Group A – Croatia defeated Argentina 3-0
Unipol Arena, Bologna, Italy
Borna Gojo (CRO) d. Sebastian Baez (ARG) 6-1 3-6 6-3
Borna Coric (CRO) d. Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) 6-4 7-6(6)
Nikola Mektic/Mate Pavic (CRO) d. Maximo Gonzalez/Horacio Zeballos (ARG) 6-2 7-5
Group B – Serbia defeated Canada 2-1
Unipol Arena, Valencia, Spain
Laslo Djere (SRB) d. Gabriel Diallo (CAN) 6-2 6-2
Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) d. Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) 6-3 6-4
Miomir Kecmanovic/Filip Krajinovic (SRB) d. Alexis Galarneau/Vasek Pospisil (CAN) 2-1 ret.
Group C – France defeated Belgium 2-1
Am Rothenbaum, Hamburg, Germany
Richard Gasquet (FRA) d. Michael Geerts (BEL) 6-3 6-3
David Goffin (BEL) d.. Benjamin Bonzi (FRA) 6-3 5-7 6-3
Nicolas Mahut/Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) d. Sander Gille/Joran Vliegen (BEL) 6-3 7-6(6)
Group D – Netherlands defeated USA 2-1
Emirates Arena, Glasgow, Great Britain
Tallon Griekspoor (NED) d. Tommy Paul (USA) 7-5 7-6(3)
Botic van de Zandschulp (NED) d. Taylor Fritz (USA) 6-4 7-6(3)
Rajeev Ram/Jack Sock (USA) d. Wesley Koolhof/Matwe Middelkoop (NED) 4-6 7-6(3) 6-4
