No Alcaraz, No Problem - Spain Into Davis Cup Semis

Spain brushed speech nan absence of Carlos Alcaraz to hit nan Czech Republic successful nan Davis Cup quarter-finals and move 1 measurement person to a first title successful six years.

A "heartbroken" Alcaraz pulled retired of Spain's squad for nan Finals connected Tuesday aft nan caller world number 1 was advised not to compete successful Bologna because of swelling successful his correct hamstring.

Without their talisman, nan Spanish squad were forced to travel from down against nan Czechs aft Jakub Mensik defeated Pablo Carreno Busta 7-5 6-4 successful nan opening singles rubber.

Jaume Munar, pinch his first singles triumph astatine nan Davis Cup, took nan necktie to nan deciding doubles pinch a 6-3 6-4 triumph complete US Open quarter-finalist Jiri Lehecka.

Czech skipper Tomas Berdych switched Mensik successful for nan doubles but to nary avail arsenic he and Tomas Machac fell 7-6 (10-8) 7-6 (10-8) to Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez.

The Czechs were near to rue their missed opportunities successful a two-hour tussle, having held a 4-1 lead and 3 group points successful nan first-set tie-break, while 2 further set-point chances were missed successful nan 1 successful nan 2nd set.

Doubles master Granollers said: "We are really happy that we fought difficult for each of nan team. We believed and present we are successful nan semi-finals.

"Last twelvemonth was difficult for america [exiting successful nan quarter-finals] but we cognize this title is very difficult. We tin spot present really bully nan teams are. We person a young squad but we are still alive."

Not since they past won nan title successful 2019 person Spain reached nan past 4 of nan Davis Cup Finals.

The six-time champions will play either Argentina aliases Germany successful Saturday's semi-final.

Those 2 nations, nan second led by world number 3 Alexander Zverev - nan highest-ranked subordinate successful action successful Bologna - play later connected Thursday.

Two-time defending champions Italy will play Belgium successful nan first semi-final connected Friday.

The Italians - for illustration Spain - are without their starring man, pinch Jannik Sinner, who was usurped by Alcaraz arsenic world number 1 past week, opting to maximise his betterment during nan sport's little six-week off-season aft triumphing astatine nan ATP Finals connected Sunday.