Match Report
Dutch double seals Nadal’s destiny in Malaga
Netherlands beat Spain 2-1 to advance to Davis Cup SFs, finish Nadal’s profession
November 19, 2024

Jorge Guerrero/Getty Pictures
Botic van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof in motion in opposition to Spain on Tuesday on the Davis Cup in Malaga.
By ATP Employees
Wesley Koolhof made certain to remind everybody that Rafael Nadal wasn’t the one one retiring from skilled tennis this week on the Davis Cup in Malaga.
The 35-year-old, competing in his last tour-level occasion, teamed up with Botic van de Zandschulp to safe an important 7-6(4), 7-6(3) victory over Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers on Tuesday night to e book The Netherland’s spot within the semi-finals. Defeat for Spain ensured that Nadal’s straight-sets loss to Van de Zandschulp within the first singles rubber was the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s last match as a professional.
“I reached a really, very excessive degree immediately, which I’m very pleased about,” mentioned Koolhof. “I feel we, as a group, did an incredible job once more. Botic informed me he struggled on returns, however so long as he made it on match level, I’m pleased. This was certainly one of my greatest matches of the yr. I’m trying ahead to the subsequent one.”
A bullet return from @wesleykoolhof 💥@DavisCup | #DavisCuppic.twitter.com/ty0nr0Re3T
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 19, 2024
Producing assured tennis on each serve and return to maintain his enjoying profession alive, Koolhof was on the coronary heart of their two-hour, 12-minute victory. A string of scorching return winners and fashionable internet play in key moments despatched the Dutch duo on their option to reaching the final 4 within the Davis Cup for the primary time since 2001.
“Wesley helped me quite a bit there, he returned unbelievably,” mentioned Van de Zandschulp. “He performed superb, it’s a disgrace he’s going to retire after this occasion. We might use him subsequent yr. It’s been an unbelievable day.”
Alcaraz, the No. 3 within the PIF ATP Rankings, had levelled the quarter-final tie at 1-1 together with his conquer Tallon Griekspoor, and it appeared as if he was pulling Spain to an epic comeback when he fired a forehand winner to interrupt Van de Zandschulp’s serve within the second set. The tactical enter and emotional assist from Nadal on the sidelines didn’t show sufficient, nonetheless, because the Dutch duo refused to roll over.