Australia has completed second in Group B after a good loss to Spain on Sunday, and on Thursday will study its quarterfinal opponent at November’s Davis Cup Finals.
Valencia, Spain, 16 September 2024 | tennis.com.au/AAP
Australia will face both Italy or the US when the Davis Cup Finals draw is set on Thursday.
Australia had already certified for the “Closing 8” knockout stage of the competitors by ending within the high two of its group stage in Valencia after wins over France and Czech Republic.
Sunday’s tie towards Spain – additionally undefeated in its first two ties – would decide the winner of the group, though each had already ensured their place within the Closing 8 in Malaga in November.
> READ MORE: Australia qualifies for Davis Cup Finals
“We had been ecstatic a few nights in the past after we received informed Spain had received and we had been assured to undergo,” Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt mentioned.
“We got here right here with one purpose this week and that was to qualify for the finals, and we had been ready to try this. So actually happy with the boys and the hassle they’ve put in. They’ve achieved themselves proud and so they’ve achieved the remainder of the workforce proud, however they’ve [also] achieved their nation proud.
“We’ll be prepared for November.”
There was, in principle, solely satisfaction to play for on this Group B conflict between Australia and Spain.
But it definitely didn’t really feel that manner as the house aspect, even with out their rested famous person Carlos Alcaraz and cheered on by a wildly enthusiastic full-house within the Pabellon Fuente de San Luis, defied all the chances to battle to a win that ensured they topped the group.
Jordan Thompson had served for the match within the opening rubber, solely to go down 2-6 6-2 7-6(3) to Pablo Carreno Busta, in what the Sydneysider described as an “extremely irritating” reverse.
Alexei Popyrin then levelled the tie with a reasonably routine, crowd-silencing 6-4 6-4 victory over Pedro Martinez.
Australia stage the tie! ⚖️
A medical efficiency from Alexei Popyrin, he takes it in straight units and forces the tie to a decider 🤩#DavisCup pic.twitter.com/9FSFS6QJqV
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 15, 2024
“The primary match that I performed I used to be a bit amped up on nerves and a bit emotional,” Popyrin informed daviscup.com, referring to his loss earlier within the week to France’s Ugo Humbert.
“I attempted to calm it down and really feel the best way I usually really feel on court docket. I feel in the direction of the tip I balanced it out and behaved the best way I usually do on court docket.”
Popyrin’s victory arrange a dwell doubles decider, with the Aussie pair of Matt Ebden and Max Purcell, who boast an impressive Davis Cup report, taking up house duo of Marcel Granollers and Martinez.
With Martinez having to come back again on court docket so quickly after his defeat to Popyrin, issues seemed bleak for the Spaniards as they misplaced the opening set to Ebden and Purcell, the 2022 Wimbledon males’s doubles champions.
However impressed to new ranges by the din on the indoor hardcourt venue, 38-year-old Granollers, the world’s No.1, led the pair to a outstanding 5-7 6-4 6-4 win.
2024 Davis Cup Finals – group stage
SPAIN d AUSTRALIA d 2-1
Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) d Jordan Thompson (AUS) 2-6 6-2 7-6(3)
Alexei Popyrin (AUS) d Pedro Martinez (ESP) 6-4 6-4
Marcel Granollers/Pedro Martinez (ESP) d Matt Ebden/Max Purcell (AUS) 5-7 6-4 6-4
Discover your method to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on court docket and have some enjoyable!
