Match Report
Struff withstands Shapovalov’s ace barrage, books Germany’s Davis Cup SF spot
Altmaier beat Diallo in opening rubber, Germany to face Netherlands subsequent
November 20, 2024
Jorge Guerrero/AFP through Getty Pictures
Jan-Lennard Struff celebrates after clinching Germany a semi-final spot on the Davis Cup Closing 8.
By ATP Employees
A pair of essential tie-break units bookended a dramatic quarter-final tie on Wednesday on the Davis Cup Closing 8, the place Germany moved previous Canada 2-0 in Malaga.
Jan-Lennard Struff overcame Denis Shapovalov 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(5) to earn the successful level for Germany, which reached its first Davis Cup semi-final since 2021. The No. 43 within the PIF ATP Rankings Struff prevailed in a two-hour, seven-minute battle regardless of Canada’s Shapovalov firing 27 aces.
Earlier, Daniel Altmaier edged Gabriel Diallo in a 75-minute opening set en path to a 7-6(5), 6-4 triumph.
“Denis was enjoying superb, popping out firing,” mentioned Struff, who had served for the match at 5-4 within the third set. “It was a really powerful match. He was serving so effectively. It was unbelievable. Second serves at like 180 km/h. It was powerful to return. The courtroom could be very quick.
“I had my probability [in the third set]. I broke him and served for the match. I didn’t play the perfect recreation, however he was there and hit some winners. Even within the tie-break, I went up 4/3 and he then he hit a forehand winner. An unbelievable match… I’m simply blissful to recover from the road on the finish.”
STRUFF GETS IT DONE!
@Struffitennis seals the tie for Crew Germany after a outstanding comeback towards Shapovalov!
@DavisCup | #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/0DSurVrDgg
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 20, 2024
Germany faces a giant European derby in its semi-final on Friday, when it’ll tackle the Netherlands.
“It is going to be superb,” mentioned Struff of the Netherlands tie. “It’s a giant step for us to go from the quarters to the semis. For positive we wish to win and go to the ultimate now. Netherlands performed a tremendous match yesterday beating Spain right here in entrance of a house crowd. So we count on a really powerful opponent. Germany and the Netherlands is somewhat little bit of a rivalry. We’ll strive all the things. They’ve superb followers as effectively, so trying ahead to the match on Friday.”
Captain Michael Kohlmann was delighted as his workforce moved one step additional ahead in its bid for its fourth Davis Cup crown, and its first since 1993.
“I believe if Daniel had misplaced that first set of the day, the tie was a totally completely different one,” mirrored Kohlmann on Altmaier’s opening win. “Daniel was up a break, misplaced his serve once more straightaway and had so many possibilities within the set, however couldn’t convert. I believe to win it ultimately was key for that match.”
