The Netherlands loses to Croatia in the Davis Cup, but has already qualified for the quarter-finals in Malaga Tennis

Middelkop and Koolhoff won the first set in doubles 6-3, but Pavic and Agdjokovic came back by winning 6-4 in the second set. The Croats won the tiebreaker in the final with a score of 10-8.

The Netherlands has already secured its place in the quarter-finals on Friday, with the final tournament starting at the end of November in Malaga. Led by team captain Paul Haarhuis, the Dutch team defeated Finland for the first time, after which the team pulled off a real stunt against the United States.

Van de Zandschulp was then too strong for Tommy Paul, while Frances Spohr defeated Frances Tiafoe, No. 11 in the world. After Croatia’s defeat by Finland, the Netherlands secured their place among the top two teams in the group.

Despite a 2-1 defeat to hosts Croatia in the third match of the Davis Cup Finals, team captain Paul Haarhuis is looking at the group stage with satisfaction. “I’m happy with this week, with the high level of tennis and intense teamwork. The result was a group winner for the second year in a row. This is very smart.”

The team captain is also full of confidence for the rest of the country’s tournament. The Netherlands had already secured a place in the quarter-finals on Friday after earlier defeating Finland and the United States. “We have a good team in the Davis Cup and we can beat anyone in Malaga. We have to prepare well. But all the boys will have a good end to the season in the next two months. Then we can beat anyone, that’s what we believe in and that’s what we’ll work for.”

Although qualification was already certain, Haarhuis urged his players to give everything they could again against Croatia. “As group winners, we owe this to our position. We want to confirm our position, but we also want to finish the season with victories in the upcoming matches.” “This way you’ll leave here feeling right.”

But it did not work out, but despite the defeat, the Netherlands will play as group leaders in the quarter-finals against Italy or Serbia. The draw for the match is scheduled to be drawn on Tuesday at 12 noon. Defending champions Canada, the Czech Republic and Great Britain are the other group winners. Finland and Australia are the other runners-up. The Davis Cup final is scheduled to be held in Malaga from November 21 to 26.

The Netherlands has already secured its place in the quarter-finals on Friday, with the final tournament starting at the end of November in Malaga. Led by team captain Paul Haarhuis, the Dutch team defeated Finland for the first time, after which the team pulled off a real stunt against the United States. Van de Zandschulp was then too strong for Tommy Paul, while Talon Greek Spur defeated Frances Tiafoe, No. 11 in the world. After Croatia’s defeat by Finland, the Netherlands secured their place among the top two teams in the group.

The Netherlands started the group on Tuesday by beating Finland 2-1, after which the Dutch team also beat the United States (2-1). American tennis players won their first match against Croatia.

Finland pulled off an upset on Saturday, beating the United States 3-0 to grab the second ticket to the final in Spain.

Arantxa Rus was also unable to get past the opening round at the Masters in Guadalajara, Mexico. Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich, ranked 102nd in the world, was very strong 6-1, 7-6 (5). The match ended after an hour and a half.

The Dutch player, ranked 47th in the world, was only able to hold her first serve in the first set. She showed some improvement in the second set and was close to winning the set when the score was 5-4, but Sasnovich responded immediately and equalized. The Belarusian converted the first match point in the tie-break. The first round was also the final destination for the Russians at the US Open at the end of last month.

Demi Shores lost in the first round by clear numbers to Italian Martina Trevisan: 6-2, 6-0. For 30-year-old doubles specialist Shors, this was the first time she had been on the main roster of a WTA tournament in singles. The Limburg native won two matches in the qualifiers.