Slovakia rout Serbia in Novak Djokovic’s absence to make tennis’ Davis Cup Finals

PARIS – Serbia, without Novak Djokovic, proved no match for Slovakia, who surged into the group stage of the Davis Cup Finals for the first time.

Germany and Finland were among seven other countries qualifying on Feb 3.

Slovak doubles duo Lukas Klein and Igor Zelenay clinched the decisive point with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 win over Nikola Caci and Miomir Kecmanovic to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the tie.

Lukas Pokorny made it 4-0 after Laslo Djere retired while trailing in the first set of the reverse singles on indoor clay at Kraljevo.

“Too many years we didn’t qualify but finally we made it,” said Zelenay.

Alex Molcan, who won the second singles on Feb 2, added: “We knew it was going to be tough against Serbians in their home nation.

“I’m happy we were able to win two matches today.”

Zelenay and Klein had recovered from a break in the first set, digging deep with 31 winners to see off 2010 champions Serbia.

On Feb 2, Klein got Slovakia off the mark with a 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 win over Kecmanovic, with Molcan beating Dusan Lajovic 4-6, 6-2, 6-0.

In Hungary, three-time winners Germany – missing Alexander Zverev due to illness – clinched the first two matches on Feb 3 for an eventual 3-2 victory.

Doubles pairing Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz’s 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) win over Fabian Marozsan and Mate Valkusz pulled the Germans ahead.

Jan-Lennard Struff sealed their ticket with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Valkusz to advance to September’s group stage featuring 16 teams.

Zsombor Piros won a dead fifth rubber against Krawietz.

Finland cruised to a 3-1 win over Portugal, while Brazil qualified for a first Finals appearance as Thiago Monteiro defeated Elias Ymer to cement a 3-1 victory.

The Netherlands won a thrilling contest against Switzerland, Botic van de Zandschulp edging past Marc-Andrea Huesler 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 in the decisive second reverse singles as the Dutch prevailed 3-2 in Groningen.

The Swiss led the tie 2-1 after Huesler and Leandro Riedi won the doubles on Feb 3, but Tallon Griekspoor kept the hosts alive by seeing off Riedi in two tie-break sets.

Canada, the 2022 champions, seized a 3-1 lead over South Korea to clinch victory on Feb 3 in Montreal when Gabriel Diallo defeated Hong Seong-chan 7-5, 4-6, 6-1.

France booked their place after completing a 4-0 away win over Chinese Taipei.

Already leading 2-0 from the Feb 2 singles, they secured their passage when Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin came back from a set down to beat Hsu Yu-hsiou and Jason Jung 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1).

Defending champions Italy and 2023 runners-up Australia, as well as Britain and Spain have advanced automatically to the Finals.

On Feb 2, the United States led 4-0 with Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram sealing their spot with a doubles win against Ukraine.

Taylor Fritz then eased past Vladyslav Orlov 6-3, 6-4 to complete an American sweep.

“I’m proud of the guys,” said US captain Bob Bryan of the record 32-time winners, who have not lifted the trophy since 2007. AFP