Netherlands eliminates Spain in doubles

Tulips became villains. The Netherlands, which was not a favorite, far from it, eliminated Spain from the Davis Cup in the final point of the doubles (2-1). After the triumph of Botic Van de Zandschulp against the legend Rafa Nadal and that of Carlos Alcaraz against Tallon Griekspoor, the couple formed by Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof defeated Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers (7-6 (4) and 7-6 ( 3) and Spain remains in the quarterfinals, thus ending Nadal’s career.

The Dutch played a fascinating match, especially by Koolhof, who showed why he is one of the best doubles players in the world and who had Van de Zandschulp as his squire, vital in the second tie break, when two of his volleys put the Netherlands one step away from the semifinals.

Previously, Spain had conceded a first set in which they wasted three break points, including one set point, thrown into the net by Alcaraz with his backhand, and which they ended up losing in the tiebreaker, where Koolhof’s winning returns were key.

The Spanish couple, with Nadal cheering from the bench, went 1-4 up in the second set, but the break lasted a sigh and in the final tie break, Van de Zandschulp hit two winning volleys in a row, one to Alcaraz’s body and another to the line by a hair, to give Holland three match points. At first, Granollers sent the ball into the net and it was over. The dream of the seventh salad bowl will have to wait and Nadal’s career ends this Tuesday at the Martín Carpena.