Newly crowned US Open champion Alexander Zverev continued his winning run by sending Germany into the Davis Cup Final 8 with a straight-sets victory over Croatia’s Dino Prizmic in Halle on Sunday.
Zverev defeated Prizmic 6-2, 6-4 to give Germany an unassailable 3-1 lead in the second-round qualifier and seal their place among the eight nations competing for the title in Bologna from Nov. 24 to 29.
The world No. 2 had already made a strong start to the tie on Saturday, beating Matej Dodig 6-4, 7-6 before Croatia levelled the contest when Daniel Altmaier lost to Prizmic.
Germany regained the advantage on Sunday when Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz won the doubles rubber, leaving Zverev to complete the job in the following singles match.
The result extends Zverev’s impressive run after he claimed his first US Open title last weekend, beating American Ben Shelton in the final.
Spain also booked their place in the Final 8 despite competing without Carlos Alcaraz. Rafael Jodar made an impressive Davis Cup debut by beating Cristian Garin, while Daniel Merida edged Alejandro Tabilo in the opening singles matches.
Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar then secured Spain’s qualification with a comfortable doubles victory over Tabilo and Tomas Barrios Vera.
Britain also advanced after defeating Ecuador, with Toby Samuel and Arthur Fery winning their singles matches before Henry Patten and Neal Skupski completed the tie with a doubles victory.
Austria, Canada, South Korea and the Czech Republic had already qualified on Saturday, while defending champions Italy earned an automatic place in the Final 8.
The eight-team tournament will be held over six days in Bologna from Nov. 24 to 29, with the Davis Cup title set to be decided at the end of the knockout stage.
