Six-time champion Spain edged past Germany 2-1 on Saturday to reach its first Davis Cup final since 2019, with its doubles pair, Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez, clinching a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win over Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz in the decisive match.<\/p>\n
The Spanish pair came out firing, racing to a 4-0 lead in the opening set and showing no signs of nerves as they closed it out comfortably. Krawietz and Puetz responded in the second, surging ahead 4-1 before forcing a deciding set.<\/p>\n
Just when momentum seemed to be swinging in favour of Germany \u2014 three-time champions, with its last triumph in 1993 \u2014 Granollers and Martinez steadied themselves, breaking early for a 4-1 lead in the final set and holding firm to seal Spain\u2019s spot in Sunday\u2019s final against Italy.<\/p>\n
Competing without world number one Carlos Alcaraz, who withdrew on the eve of the event due to a hamstring injury, Spain found inspiration in Pablo Carreno Busta, ranked 89th in the world, who delivered a gutsy 6-4, 7-6(6) victory over Jan-Lennard Struff in the first match of the day in Bologna.<\/p>\n
The 34-year-old Carreno Busta clawed back from 1-6 down in the second-set tiebreak, saving five consecutive set points before sealing the win in one hour and 44 minutes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was playing probably my best tennis at the end of the second set,\u201d Carreno Busta said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a tiebreak we\u2019re 6-1 down, of course you are not thinking of winning but just try to be focused on every point. Don\u2019t think of the score. I know that it\u2019s easy to say and tough to do it but, well, sometimes if you believe you can do so, I think was the key.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, to be here on the Spanish team, playing this competition is probably a dream. Because a few months ago it was dead \u2014 I (had) my injury on elbow, suffering a lot. I didn\u2019t know if I could play tennis. So for me to be here again \u2014 this is a dream and (I am) enjoying every moment.\u201d<\/p>\n