Ub final
Davis Cup: Cerundolo Lifts Argentina To Brink Of Finals, Fritz Keeps USA Alive
World No. 21 Cerundolo overcame a shaky start before producing a 7-6(4), 6-1 win against Dutch No. 1 Botic van de Zandschulp. The opening set was a rollercoaster, featuring six service breaks, but the Argentine steadied in the tie-break, racing ahead 4/0 before sealing the lead. With his forehand firing and confidence surging, Cerundolo then raced through the second set, clinching his 33rd tour-level win of the season. His victory followed Tomas Martin Etcheverry’s 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Jesper de Jong, putting Argentina 2-0 ahead of last year’s finalists. The 2016 champions can now close out the tie in Saturday’s doubles.
Meanwhile, Fritz gave Team USA a much-needed lift after Jiri Lehecka’s straight-sets dismissal of Frances Tiafoe had put Czechia ahead. The World No. 5 struck cleanly from the baseline and served with precision to defeat Miami champion Jakub Mensik 6-4, 6-3, leveling the tie at 1-1. It was a sharp response from Fritz in their Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry, which he now leads 2-1, having lost to Mensik in Miami earlier this year.
