Spain failed to achieve a good result in front of the home fans in Malaga, suffering the Davis Cup Finals quarter-final loss to the Netherlands. Rafael Nadal played the last match of his career in the first rubber, falling to Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-4.
Carlos Alcaraz stepped in and leveled the score at 1-1 ahead of the deciding doubles clash. World no. 3 ousted Tallon Griekspoor 7-6, 6-3 in an hour and 25 minutes, playing for his teammate and legend and delivering a solid performance to keep his country alive.
Carlos returned to the court alongside Marcel Granollers and experienced a tight 7-6, 7-6 defeat, missing a chance to keep Spain in the competition. The young gun dedicated his singles victory to his idol Rafael Nadal, praising his great compatriot and his legacy.
Carlos Alcaraz, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Alcaraz tops Griekspoor on the day of Rafael Nadal’s retirement
Alcaraz felt the pressure after Nadal’s loss and endured it in style. The home favorite bounced back from an early deficit in the opening set, reaching a tie break and bringing it home in style. Carlos served well in the second set and kept the pressure on the other side.
He grabbed an early break to control the scoreboard and earn a win for his country. The Spaniard played incredibly behind the first serve, taking 28 of 29 points after landing it in. Alcaraz dropped seven points in his games, losing serve once in the opener and keeping the pressure on the other side.
The Dutchman claimed nine of 23 points behind the second serve. He played against five break points and suffered two breaks, fighting well but ending on the losing side. Carlos found the right balance between the defense and attacking tennis, playing better than in Paris and Turin.
Carlos Alcaraz, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Tallon faced issues in the first game of the encounter, wasting game points and keeping his opponent in contention. Griekspoor survived four deuces and held after Alcaraz’s error at the net, avoiding an early setback. Carlos fired a powerful serve in the second game, locking the result at 1-1.
The home favorite created a break chance in the third game, and the Dutchman denied it with an ace. World no. 3 held at love in the fourth game with a service winner before facing issues at 2-3. The Spaniard played a poor service game, netting a forehand and losing serve at love to fall 4-2 behind.
Alcaraz kept his composure and attacked on the return in game seven. He passed Griekspoor at the net and pulled the break back, returning to the positive side after 27 minutes. Carlos landed a serve & volley combo in the eighth game, holding at love and leveling the score at 4-4.
Tallon played against a break point in the ninth game and erased it with a service winner, showing clutch and staying on the positive side. Alcaraz hit a beautiful volley in the tenth game and closed it with a service winner for 5-5 and more drama.
Rafael Nadal & Carlos Alcaraz, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Griekspoor grabbed the 11th game with a service winner, keeping the pressure on the other side. The Spaniard did not feel it, providing a comfortable hold and introducing a tie break. Carlos drew the rival’s mistake in the first point for a mini-break and a boost.
World no. 3 claimed two points on serve and delivered two more return points for 5-0. The home favorite landed two service winners, wrapping up a perfect tie break and clinching the opener 7-6 in 51 minutes. Alcaraz served well in the second set, giving away one point and pressuring his rival.
The young gun held at love in the first game and drew Griekspoor’s volley mistake in game two for a set and a break advantage. Carlos cemented the break with a service winner in the third game, extending his streak and moving closer to the finish line. Tallon closed the fourth game at love and reduced the deficit.
Carlos Alcaraz & Tallon Griekspoor, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
However, Alcaraz mirrored that in the next one with another powerful serve, opening a 4-1 gap and controlling the scoreboard. Tallon clinched the sixth game with a forehand winner, reducing the deficit to 4-2. Producing one good hold after another, the Spaniard landed a powerful serve in game seven for 5-2.
Griekspoor served to stay in the match in game eight and painted an ace, extending the encounter and his chances. Carlos served for the win at 5-3 and delivered another hold at love, welcoming the rival’s backhand mistake and earning a point for Spain.
The four-time Major champion dedicated the win to Rafael Nadal, honoring his great compatriot on the day he retired from tennis.