MALAGA, Spain — Botic van de Zandschulp, currently ranked 80th in the world and the last player to have defeated Rafael Nadal, secured a 1-0 advantage for the Netherlands against Germany in the Davis Cup semifinals on Friday. He accomplished this by overcoming Daniel Altmaier with a score of 6-4, 6-7 (12), 6-3, needing ten match points to clinch the victory.
Van de Zandschulp expressed, “At some point, I didn’t know what to do any more on the match points. I had the toughest match of my life on Tuesday (against Nadal), so everything that comes next is maybe a little bit easier.”
After gaining the first set, he appeared ready to take control of the second, leading 5-2. However, Altmaier shifted his strategy, becoming more aggressive and energizing the German crowd with gestures and cheers after critical points. In a dramatic tiebreak, Altmaier fought off five match points before seizing his fourth chance to win the set, thus prolonging the match.
Despite the pressure, van de Zandschulp quickly took the lead in the final set. He faced five more match points in the concluding game but ultimately managed to serve it out successfully. Notably, he made headlines earlier by defeating four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz at the U.S. Open.
This victory holds significance as the Dutch team aims to reach the finals of this prestigious tournament for the first time. Their chances will greatly increase if Tallon Griekspoor can secure a win over Jan-Lennard Struff from Germany in the subsequent singles match.
The other semifinal match is scheduled for Saturday, featuring top-ranked player Jannik Sinner and the defending champions, Italy, as they face Australia.
In a notable prior match on Tuesday, van de Zandschulp managed an impressive win over Nadal with a score of 6-4, 6-4, ultimately contributing to Spain’s 2-1 elimination from the competition. The 38-year-old Nadal announced last month that the Davis Cup would mark the end of his playing career.
Due to advance ticket sales based on the anticipation of Nadal’s appearance, empty blue and gray seats were scattered throughout the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martina Carpena venue during Friday’s match.
Although the atmosphere was markedly calmer compared to the lively crowd from Tuesday’s match, cheers of “Vamos, Rafa!” could still be heard, bringing moments of levity during van de Zandschulp’s contest against Altmaier.
The Dutch team had not reached the semifinals since 2001. Meanwhile, the Germans have previously secured three Davis Cup titles but have not won since 1993, when the late Michael Stich led them to victory following his Wimbledon championship in 1991.