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“It’s not like we’ve had twelve or fifteen chances yet. But how long has the Davis Cup been around? Since 1900? Then it’s about time.”
For Dutch captain Paul Haarhuis (58), who played tennis in the Davis Cup ten times, it is like a dream come true. On Sunday, the Dutch tennis players will be in the final of the prestigious country tournament for the first time.
“Great,” Haarhuis concluded late on Friday evening after winning the semi-final in Málaga. He saw how Botic van de Zandschulp and Tallon Greekpoor both defeated their German opponents in three sets and gave the Netherlands a 2-0 victory.
After a strong first set, Van de Zandschulp unexpectedly made it very exciting against Daniel Altmaier. Greekpoor remained calm in his match against Jan-Lennard Struff, a battle between two service guns in top form.
‘Fantastically played’
“It is fantastic how the boys played today and managed to win those matches… Fighting for every point. I am very proud,” said Haarhuis.
Captain Haarhuis proud of final place: ‘Fantastic how the boys played’
Greek Spoor experienced an “incredible match”. “We both played very well, a lot of service violence. In the end I was able to get a grip and I am incredibly happy that I was able to get this over the line.”
‘This is what I play tennis for’
The 28-year-old North Hollander hardly suffered from nerves in the three-setter against Struff. “I never have much trouble with that, I enjoy it immensely.”
“This is what I play tennis for. These are the matches you remember, what you do it for. I know what I can do and trust myself in these situations.”
Greek Spoor (40th on the ATP rankings) calls it a real team achievement. “We do it without a player from the top five or top ten, who carries the entire team. While one person has a bad day, the other gets up.”
When it comes to top players who carry their country on the tennis court, no one can ignore Jannik Sinner at the Davis Cup. The global number one is the defending champion with Italy and favorite to win the semi-final against Australia on Saturday.
Haarhuis and Greekspor are also counting on a meeting with Italy in the final. “I prefer Australia, but I think Italy will win,” says Greekpoor. “We have nothing to lose, no matter who we play against. Hopefully we can bring out the best in ourselves again and pull off an upset.”
‘On the court with big balls’
“If you have to compete against the Australians, it means that they have won against Italy,” Haarhuis muses. In any case, the captain knows how he wants to see his tennis players on Sunday’s final day in Málaga.
“Sorry for my language, but we have to come onto the court on Sunday with big balls. With a lot of courage, courage and confidence. As they say here in Spain: with balls. We will really have to show it on Sunday to bring home that title.”
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