Spain overcame a 2-0 deficit to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory over Denmark in their Davis Cup qualifying tie, booking a spot in the Final 8. Meanwhile, Australia’s efforts to fight back fell short as Belgium claimed the decisive win in Sydney on Sunday.
Spain and Belgium will join Argentina, Austria, France, Germany, the Czech Republic, and defending champions Italy in the Final 8, scheduled to take place in Bologna this November.
Denmark had taken an early 2-0 lead after winning both singles matches on Saturday in Marbella, leaving them just one win away from clinching the tie.
However, Spain’s Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar turned the tide by winning the doubles match, keeping their team alive in front of a passionate home crowd.
Martinez then delivered a remarkable performance against world number 11 Holger Rune, saving a match point and forcing a tiebreak in the third set to claim a 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(3) victory, leveling the tie for Spain.
“The feeling at the Davis Cup is totally different. Maybe I get more nervous, but this adrenaline gives me extra motivation to play at my best,” Martinez said.
Spain sealed the comeback when Pablo Carreno Busta dominated Elmer Moller 6-2, 6-3 in the decisive singles match, marking the first time Spain has won a Davis Cup tie after trailing 2-0.
In Sydney, Australia’s bid for a comeback ended in disappointment. Despite Alex de Minaur’s straight-sets win over Zizou Bergs that temporarily leveled the tie, Belgium’s Raphael Collignon overcame cramps and a first-set stumble to defeat Aleksandar Vukic 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3 in the final match.
Collignon’s victory secured Belgium’s place in the Final 8. “With adrenaline and the energy from the bench, it was crazy—I didn’t feel my legs at all. The atmosphere was insane,” Collignon said.
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