Matching Report
Struff withstands Shapovalov’s ace barrage, German books Davis Cup SF spot
Altmaier beat Diallo in the opening rubber, Germany will face the Netherlands next
November 20, 2024
Jorge Guerrero/AFP via Getty Images
Jan-Lennard Struff celebrates after beating Germany to the semi-finals of the Davis Cup Final 8.
By ATP staff
Two crucial break sets set up a dramatic quarter-final on Wednesday in the Davis Cup Final 8, where Germany cruised past Canada 2-0 in Malaga.
Jan-Lennard Struff beat Denis Shapovalov 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(5) to earn a point for Germany, who reached the Davis Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2021. Number 43 in the PIF ATP Rankings Struff prevailed in a battle that lasted two hours, seven minutes despite Canadian Shapovalov firing 27 aces.
Earlier, Daniel Altmaier crushed Gabriel Diallo in the opening 75 minutes en route to a 7-6(5), 6-4 victory.
“Denis was playing amazingly, coming out shooting,” said Struff, who was leading the match at 5-4 in the third set. “It was a very difficult game. He served very well. It was unbelievable. The second works at 180 km/h. It was hard to come back. The court is very fast.
“I had my chance [in the third set]. I broke him and served in the game. I didn’t play the best game, but he was there and hit some winners. Even on the break, I went up 4/3 and he hit a forehand winner. Amazing game… I’m so happy to cross the line at the end.”
POETRY DOES! 🇩🇪@Struffitennis closes the thread of the German Team after an amazing comeback from Shapovalov! 😱@DavisCup | #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/0DSurVrDgg
– ATP Tour (@atptour) November 20, 2024
Germany will face a big European derby in the semi-finals on Friday, when they face the Netherlands.
“It will be amazing,” said Struff of the Netherlands tie. “It is a big step for us to go from the top to the semi-finals. We definitely want to win and go to the final now. The Netherlands played an amazing game yesterday to beat Spain here in front of their home crowd. So we are expecting a very tough opponent. Germany and the Netherlands are a bit of a rivalry. We will try everything. They’ve got amazing fans too, so we’re looking forward to Friday’s game.”
Captain Michael Kohlmann is delighted as his team moves forward in their quest to win their fourth Davis Cup title, their first since 1993.
“I think if Daniel had lost that first set of the day, the tie would have been completely different,” Kohlmann reflected on Altmaier’s opening win. “Daniel had taken a break, lost his serve again quickly and had many opportunities in the set, but he could not convert. I think winning it at the end was important in that game.”
