The Netherlands qualifies for the Davis Cup Final 8 at the last minute

The Netherlands has qualified for the Davis Cup quarterfinals for the third year in a row. In a group with Italy, Brazil, and Belgium, the Dutch team was locked in a thrilling battle to secure a place in the Final 8 in Málaga. The final score was so close that it was literally a close call until the very last ball to see whether the Netherlands would be among the top two teams in the group. Ultimately, the pair of Botic van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof secured a spot in the quarterfinals by winning their doubles match against the Italians. Partly thanks to this victory, the team, coached by Paul Haarhuis, will be able to report to Málaga at the end of November, along with Italy, to continue their fight for the coveted Davis Cup title. 

Netherlands – Belgium (1-2)

The Netherlands began the group stage of the Davis Cup Finals with a match against Belgium. While the Dutch team was able to start the clash at full strength, Belgium had to do without the experienced David Goffin. He was unavailable for Davis Cup tennis because his heavily pregnant wife was about to give birth. Consequently, Van de Zandschulp played his singles match against Raphael Collignon, while Tallon Griekspoor faced Zizou Bergs. Van de Zandschulp kicked off the match against his in-form Belgian opponent and, with a strong victory (7-5, 7-6), gave the Netherlands a 1-0 lead. He skillfully fought back from a break down in the first set and then closed out his match by striking at the right moment in the tiebreak. 

Then it was Griekspoor's turn to build on Van de Zandschulp's victory. However, he faced impressive serving from Bergs, who quickly took the first set (6-2). Griekspoor fought back and won the second set with several strong points and a strong tiebreak, but then it was Bergs's turn again. He showed another fine display of tennis in Bologna, winning the third set and thus the match, bringing the overall score to 1-1. This meant the doubles match, between the Dutchmen Van de Zandschulp/Koolhof and the Belgians Joran Vliegen/Sander Gille, had to prove its worth. Although the Dutchmen won the first set and had several break chances in the second, it was ultimately the Belgians who prevailed: 4-6, 7-6, 6-4. 

Netherlands – Brazil (2-1) 

The defeat against the Belgians made it essential for Haarhuis's team to defeat their next opponent, Brazil. Van de Zandschulp once again played the first match, and this time he was unable to secure victory. He faced the only eighteen-year-old Joao Fonseca, who managed to secure the only break in the evenly matched first set (6-4). By also winning the second set (7-6), Fonseca gave Brazil a 1-0 lead. It was up to Tallon Griekspoor to recover from this deficit. The North Holland native played against Thiago Monteiro and managed to avenge the defeat earlier in the week. Griekspoor, with strong play, outplayed his Brazilian opponent and won 7-6, 6-4, forcing the final decision to be made in the doubles match. 

Van de Zandschulp, again partnered with Koolhof, was the second to face Brazil. This time, the strong duo of Rafael Matos and Marcelo Melo were the opponents. One break proved enough for the Dutch to clinch the first set (6-4), after which the Netherlands seemed poised to quickly snatch victory with an early break in the second set. However, Matos and Melo managed to break back, forcing a tiebreak to decide the winner of the second set. After a strong start for the Brazilians, it was the experienced Melo (40 years old) who – to the relief of the Dutch – suddenly made three errors at the net, allowing the Netherlands to ultimately prevail in the tiebreak (7-6). However, it was much more than just a tiebreak victory. It also meant a 2-1 victory over Brazil, putting the Final 8 back in sight. 

Italy – Netherlands (2-1) 

Because of the results in the other group matches, the Netherlands knew they needed a single point against Italy to secure second place in the group – and thus a place in the Davis Cup knockout stage. The first to attempt to secure this place for his country was Van de Zandschulp. He faced former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini and impressively won the first set 6-3. Berrettini, however, wasted no time, capitalizing on his first break point in the second set and immediately winning it (6-4). When the Italian also won the third set 6-4, the Italians led 1-0, and it was Griekspoor's turn. He played against Flavio Cobolli, and both men put on a spectacular performance, which was ultimately decided in Cobolli's favor after three sets: 7-6, 4-6, 6-3. 

This left one chance for the Dutch to still qualify for the Davis Cup Final 8. The pressure was immense for Van de Zandschulp and Koolhof, who also faced a strong opponent in Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli. The Dutch team failed to break their opponent's service in the first set, forcing a tiebreak. The Netherlands proved to be the stronger team in this tiebreak, securing the first set. Break opportunities were also scarce in the second set, until the score was 5-6 in favor of the Dutch team. Van de Zandschulp and Koolhof had three break points, and thus match points, with the third being effectively captured by the Dutch team. The match thus ended 7-6, 7-5 in favor of the Dutch team, and they can now prepare for the Davis Cup Final 8 for the third consecutive year. There they will face either Spain or Canada. 

Davis Cup group stage final standings 

Group A: Italy (seeded), Netherlands (seeded), Belgium, Brazil
Group B: Spain (seeded), Australia (seeded), France, Czech Republic
Group C: United States (seeded), Germany (seeded), Chile, Slovakia
Group D: Canada (seeded), Argentina (seeded), Great Britain, Finland