Netherlands end Nadal’s departing dream of Davis Cup glory with Spain

Wesley Koolhof and Botic van de Zandschulp sealed a famous Davis Cup win for the Netherlands, seeing them into the semi-finals at the expense of Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3).

The result seems to end the professional career of Rafael Nadal, who said after his defeat at the hands of Van de Zandschulp earlier in the day that he thought that would and should mark his last singles match, even if Spain did progress into the last four of the competition.

Instead, it is Koolhof who will extend his farewell just a little longer, having spoken earlier in the month about his intention to retire at the end of the year.

“It was potentially going to be my last match,” confirmed Koolhof afterwards. “Looking forward to the next one – but still retiring!”

“Wesley helped me a lot – he returned unbelievable…it’s a shame he’s going to retire after this event,” said Van de Zandschulp.

Alcaraz won his singles match against Tallon Griekspoor to extend the tie into a deciding doubles match, and returned to court to partner Granollers.

It was a tight match from the off, with the first break going to Spain, almost an hour and a half into it.

Now for the second time in their history, the Netherlands will compete in the semi-finals of the Davis Cup, where they will face either Germany or Canada.

Their previous semi-final appearance came in 2001, where they lost to France – with current captain Paul Haarhuis then in the squad as a player.

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