Germany overcome Alexander Zverev absence to beat Canada and reach Davis Cup semis

Germany beat Canada 2-0 on Wednesday to reach the Davis Cup semi-finals where they will face the Netherlands who advanced with a stunning upset of hosts Spain.

Without world number two Alexander Zverev, Germany went ahead when Daniel Altmaier beat Gabriel Diallo 7-6(5) 6-4 and Jan-Lennard Struff fought back to overcome Denis Shapovalov 4-6 7-5 7-6(5) and seal victory in the tie.

Altmaier got the ball rolling by beating Diallo in a match lasting just under two hours. In the second singles rubber, Shapovalov took the first set against Struff. But Struff levelled the match and then secured the victory in a deciding tie-break, winning in two hours and seven minutes.

“Playing in the finals is amazing, I haven’t played Davis Cup the whole year and I’m proud to help the team get the first victory. I think we are in a great position now,” Altmaier said on court.

“The mental side is crucial. It’s a huge motivation for me. My fighting spirit helped me to win the first set and then I was getting into a better rhythm.”

Germany avenged their 2022 quarter-final loss to Canada who went on to claim their first Davis Cup title with victory over Australia.

Defending champions Italy will be led by world number one Jannik Sinner in their last-eight clash with Argentina on Thursday and the United States face Australia for a place in the semi-finals.

Agencies