Britain, Zverev-inspired Germany, Spain complete Davis Cup finals / Photo: Javier TORRES - AFP
Britain, Zverev-inspired Germany, Spain complete Davis Cup finals
Great Britain stamped their ticket to the Davis Cup finals with a 3-0 win over Ecuador in London on Sunday, while US Open champion Alexander Zverev sealed Germany's place in the last eight.
Last year's runners-up Spain completed the line-up for the Final 8, which will take place from November 24-29 in Bologna, as they secured an unassailable 3-0 lead in Chile.
Henry Patten and Neal Skupski wrapped up the victory for Britain with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Diego Hidalgo and Gonzalo Escobar, consolidating the advantage from the singles the day before by debutant Toby Samuel and Arthur Fery.
Top-ranked doubles player Patten and his partner Skupski, the world number three, secured a sole break of serve in the first set to take control against their 91st and 93rd-ranked opponents.
In the second set, the British duo got their noses in front in the ninth game, before promptly serving out for the 10-time Davis Cup champions.
"We're feeling great," Patten said on-court.
"We're very, very happy to get it done on the first match."
On Saturday in the British capital, 23-year-old Samuel overcame Andres Andrade and Wimbledon semi-finalist Fery saw off Alvaro Guillen Meza to set up the victory.
Germany's Zverev put the elation of claiming the second Grand Slam title of his career firmly behind him as he led his country into the finals.
The world number two beat 103rd-ranked Croatian Dino Prizmic 6-2, 6-4 to take Germany one step closer to a first Davis Cup title since 1993.
Zverev broke his 21-year-old opponent three times, without facing a break point himself, to win in 77 minutes in Halle.
"The Davis Cup here at home in front of the home fans was incredible," said Zverev.
"That is exactly what the Davis Cup is all about for me. We have a strong team that deserves to be at the finals."
The 29-year-old had got the Germans off to a winning start against Croatia on Saturday with a straight-sets success against Matej Dodig.
Prizmic hit back instantly for the away side but Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz's win in the doubles rubber in Sunday's first match tipped the tie back in Germany's favour.
Jaume Munar and Pedro Martinez breezed past Chileans Tomas Barrios Vera and Alejandro Tabilo 6-0, 6-3 as Spain secured their passage to the end stage of the tournament for the third year in a row.
Spain's victory in Santiago was set up by Daniel Merida and 20-year-old rising star Rafael Jodar's victories in Saturday's singles rubbers.
Britain, Germany and Spain join triple defending champions and finals hosts Italy, as well as Czech Republic, South Korea, Austria and Canada in the finals.
F.McKenzie--EWJ
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