Carlos Alcaraz, ranked third in the world, led Spain to a 2-0 win over the Czech Republic. This happened on Wednesday in Valencia, during the Davis Cup tennis tournament’s second group stage.
Alcaraz defeated Tomas Machak, who retired in the first game of the third set. The score was tied 6-7 (3-7) and 6-1.
The Spaniard faced strong resistance in the first set from the Czech. Despite breaking his serve quickly in the first game, Machak returned the break in the second game. They both held serve in the following games, until the Czech won the tie-break game 7-3.
Alcaraz won the second set easily 6-1. He benefited from two breaks of his opponent’s serve. The latter retired due to injury during the first game of the third set.
The hosts won the match 2-0. Roberto Bautista-Ogut had beaten Jiri Lehecka 7-6 (7-1) and 6-4 in the first match.
Alcaraz is trying to lead his country to its seventh title in the tournament.
In the same group, Australia beat France 2-1. Australia will face the Czech Republic on Thursday, and France will face Spain on Friday.
In Group A, which is hosted by the Italian city of Bologna, defending champions Italy won the match against Brazil 2-0.
Matteo Berrettini beat his competitor Joao Fonseca 6-1 and 7-6 (7-5) in the first match. Then, Matteo Arnaldi decided matters with great difficulty at the expense of Thiago Monteiro 7-5 and 6-7 (4-7) and 7-6 (7-5) in a very equal and exciting match that lasted 3 hours and 42 minutes.
In the same group, Belgium beat the Netherlands 2-1.
The Netherlands face Brazil on Thursday, while Italy face Belgium on Friday.
The United States and Germany beat Chile and Slovakia, respectively, by the same scoreline, 3-0, in Group C in the Chinese city of Zhuhai.
Germany play Chile on Thursday, while the United States, which has a record 32 titles, plays Slovakia on Friday.
For its part, Britain beat Finland 2-0, and Canada beat Argentina 2-1, in Group D in Manchester. Canada plays Finland on Thursday, while the hosts meet Argentina on Friday.
Each team will play three matches in the group stage. Each match includes three matches, two of which are in the singles competition, in addition to one decisive match in the doubles competition if necessary.
The top two teams in the four groups qualify for the quarter-finals, “Final 8” scheduled for next November in Malaga, Spain.
