SPAIN will face reigning champions Italy in Sunday’s Davis Cup final after beating Germany in a deciding doubles match – despite the absence of injured world number one and six-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz.
It is the first time that six-time champions Spain have reached the final of the ‘World Cup of Tennis’ since 2019.
They will face off against Italy – themselves without world number two and arch Alcaraz rival Jannik Sinner – who reached their third consecutive final after winning a tie-break against Belgium on Friday.
The showpiece in Bologna will be the first time Spain and Italy have met in the team event since 2006.
In Saturday’s semi-final, Pablo Carreno Busta gave Spain an early advantage after defeating Jan-Lennard Struff in the opening singles match.
But German world number three Alexander Zverev – the only top-ten men’s singles player competing at the finals – levelled proceedings with a tight 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-5) victory over Spain’s Jaume Munar.
In the deciding doubles match, specialists Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez won 6-2 3-6 6-3 over Germany’s Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz to send Spain to their first final in six years.
Spain’s team captain David Ferrer said: “I am really proud of my players, they fought a lot to be here.
“We are really excited but we have to rest and be ready for the final.
READ MORE: WATCH: Heartwarming moment Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz rushes to help Wimbledon fan overcome by 32C heat
“Italy have very good players. They do not have Jannik […] but also we do not have Carlos. I am sure that we will compete.”
Alcaraz was forced to miss this year’s David Cup finals after he was diagnosed with a bone edema in his right hamstring following a match against Sinner last week.
“I am very sorry to announce that I will not be able to play with Spain in the Davis Cup in Bologna,” the 22-year-old Murcia-born star announced on Thursday.
“I have swelling in my right hamstring and the medical advice is not to play. I have always said that playing for Spain is the greatest thing there is and I was really looking forward to helping the team fight for the trophy.”
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