Paris (France) (AFP) – South Korea advanced to the Davis Cup quarter-finals for the first time on Saturday after beating India 3-1, while Austria joined them in the eight-team finals with a victory over Belgium. Kwon Soon-woo brushed Sumit Nagal aside 6-1, 6-2 to clinch the decisive point for the Koreans, who won both of Friday’s singles rubbers in Seoul before India triumphed in the doubles. South Korea advance to the November finals in Bologna, where hosts Italy will bid for a fourth straight title.
Austria booked their spot as Jurij Rodionov sealed a 3-1 win for the hosts in Vienna with a 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 victory over Zizou Bergs, Belgium’s No.1 in the absence of Alexander Blockx. Rodionov got Austria on the board in Friday’s opening singles before Bergs pulled Belgium level. Doubles pair Lucas Miedler and Neil Oberleitner then beat Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen in straight sets to put Austria back on top.
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Newly-crowned US Open champion Alexander Zverev gave Germany a 1-0 lead over Croatia in Halle, making a quick return to action as he beat Matej Dodig 6-4, 7-6 (7/3). Germany have not won the Davis Cup since 1993. The United States nudged 2-1 ahead of the Czech Republic in Prague as Christian Harrison and Austin Krajicek saved four match points to outlast Adam Pavlasek and Patrik Rikl in a thrilling 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (10/8) victory. US Open runner-up Ben Shelton can clinch the tie for the Americans with a win over Jakub Mensik in the reverse singles. Shelton lost in straight sets to Jiri Lehecka in Friday’s singles. The USA are record 32-time winners of the competition but have not lifted the trophy since 2007.
Britain’s Toby Samuel overcame Andres Andrade of Ecuador in the opening rubber of their tie in London. Canada hold a 2-0 lead over France in Quebec City, while Spain continue their tilt at a seventh title against Chile in Santiago.
© 2024 AFP
