As another Davis Cup by BNP Paribas weekend came to a climactic end, Serbia, Croatia and France joined Spain, USA, Czech Republic and Argentina in this year’s Davis Cup World Group quarterfinals. The biggest news, however, is that Austria make it through to the last eight in Davis Cup for the first time in 17 years.
Jurgen Melzer, third in Austria’s all-time Davis Cup winners list, was the man who guided them through against Russia as he comfortably defeated Russian No. 1 Alex Bogomolov Jr in straight sets 62 64 61. This was Melzer’s 27th Davis Cup victory cementing his place as an Austrian tennis legend.
Serbian No. 1 for the weekend, Janko Tipsarevic, sealed his nation’s place in the quarterfinals as he overcame a determined Michael Ryderstedt (SWE) 62 76(5) 75. This took the pressure of Davis Cup debutant Dusan Lajovic, who sealed a 4-1 victory by defeating Filip Prpic 64 64.
The only match to go to a deciding fifth rubber was Japan against Croatia. With the Croatians 2-1 up going into the last day, Kei Nishikori ensured that the tie would go the distance by defeating Ivan Dodig 75 76(4) 63. This meant that it would be Go Soeda up against Ivo Karlovic to decide who would progress. It was the big-serving Croatian who sealed victory, taking the deciding rubber 76(4) 61 64.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga saw France safely through in the fourth rubber against Canada in Vancouver. The world No. 6 was scheduled to meet Milos Raonic in an eagerly anticipated clash, but the Canadian No. 1 was suffering from a knee injury so Frank Dancevic deputised. Tsonga triumphed in routine fashion 64 64 61 before Gael Monfils wrapped up the dead rubber to secure a 4-1 win.
Czech Republic and Argentina were able to rotate some of their players; both coming through in 4-1 victories against Italy and Germany, whiile Spain and USA completed 5-0 whitewashes against Kazakhstan and Switzerland respectively.
Click the links below to view full reports from each tie on the Davis Cup website.
Spain 5-0 Kazakhstan
Austria 3-2 Russia
Canada 1-4 France
Switzerland 0-5 USA
Czech Republic 4-1 Italy
Serbia 4-1 Sweden
Japan 2-3 Croatia
Germany 1-4 Argentina