Davis Cup Shocks: USA, Australia, will not play the Final 8
Spain, France, Germany, Argentina, Austria, Belgium and Czech Republic will play the 2025 Davis Cup finals.
The Belgian Team celebrates after winninga a tennis match between Belgian Collignon and Australian Thompson, during the qualifier of the Davis Cup | © Shutterstock / SIPA
The Davis Cup weekend, marked by the qualifiers second Round, once again delivered its share of surprises and intense emotions, notably with home losses by the USA versus the Czech Republic in Delray Beach, and Australia versus Belgium in Sydney.
Qualified Teams for the Finals (18-23 november)
- Italy (defending champions)
- France (defeated Croatia 3-1)
- Germany (defeated Japan 4-0)
- Argentina (defeated the Netherlands 3-1)
- Austria (defeated Hungary 3-2)
- Belgium (defeated Australia 3-2)
- Czech Republic (defeated the United States 3-1)
- Spain (defeated Denmark 3-2)
Beyond the solid victories of France in Croatia (3-1), Germany, who swept Japan 4-0, and Argentina, who won 3-1 against the Netherlands (2024 semi-finalist), true upsets shook the tennis world.
The surprises began with Hungary’s home defeat, a 3-2 loss to Austria despite the presence of Fucsovics and Maroszan. Jurij Rodionov, world No. 158, secured Austria’s place with what he called “the best tennis of his life” to defeat Márton Fucsovics in the deciding match (6-2, 6-1). He had defeated Maroszan the day before (6-2, 6-7, 7-5).
Collignon eliminates Australia
Australia, despite their home-court advantage, also suffered a surprise 3-2 defeat against Belgium, a team that capitalized on its strengths to defy predictions. The victory was largely thanks to Raphaël Collignon, who was the “man of the moment.” Collignon, ranked world No. 91, pulled off two remarkable singles wins.
On the first day, he stunned world No. 8 Alex de Minaur in a three-hour epic (7-5, 3-6, 6-3), despite battling severe cramping. He later said, “I think when you play for your country there is no pain.” On the final day, he clinched the tie for Belgium with a comeback victory over Aleksandar Vukic, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3.
Shock in Delrey Beach
But the biggest shock was the fall of the United States, who were beaten 3-1 on their home turf by a strong Czech team. Despite the presence of top players like Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe, the Americans were dominated in all the singles matches.
Tiafoe notably suffered two stinging defeats, 6-3, 6-2 to Lehecka and then 6-1, 6-4 against Mensik. Even Fritz, world No.7, was defeated by an in-form Lehecka, a US Open quarter-finalist, with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Czech captain Tomas Berdych praised his team’s spirit, stating, “We believed, even when there were bad moments in those two days. I’m obviously happy with my team that we qualified again so it feels amazing right now.”
Spain qualified without Alcaraz
The drama reached its peak in Marbella for the Spain-Denmark tie, during the duel between Holger Rune and Pedro Martinez. The young Dane was at the heart of a true emotional rollercoaster. Trailing 6-1, 4-2 to the Spaniard, Rune managed a spectacular comeback, getting within one point of qualifying his nation.
At 5-3 in the third set, with a match point in his favor, it seemed Denmark would clinch their ticket to the finals. But in front of his ecstatic home crowd, the Spaniard found the resources to win the match and level the score at 2-2 (6-1, 4-6, 7-6). Pedro Martinez, who was thrilled by the win, said, “It’s for me one of the most important things in my career.”
Pablo Carreño Busta then sealed the deal against Elmer Möller (6-2, 6-3), securing Spain’s place in Bologna, even without the presence of Carlos Alcaraz. This defeat is a tough blow for Rune, who now has a record of two wins to three losses in the Davis Cup over the last two seasons, with setbacks against Monteiro, Medjedovic, and now Martinez.
