Tennis results and Davis Cup Final recaps: Netherlands get by watered-down Germany

Things could have been so much better for Germany. They entered the Davis Cup Final knowing they had an uphill climb to get to the final, but just making the semifinals was a bit of an achievement. They only needed to defeat the Netherlands to get there, but they could not.

The truth is that Germany was missing its best potential player, Alexander Zverev. Maybe Zverev would not have helped in doubles, but he would have been a heavy favorite in singles which would have probably forced the Netherlands and Germany tie to a deciding doubles match. Instead, both German singles players, Jan-Lennard Struff and Daniel Altmaier, dropped their matches in three sets.

Relatively speaking, the Dutch had an easy time against Germany. Every match in the tournament so far, except for Germany's victory over Canada, had gone to a tie-break. That the Dutch won in singles means they should be even more rested than whichever team they play in the Davis Cup Final final on Sunday. There they will play Italy or Australia.

The Netherlands take out Germany to reach the 2024 Davis Cup Final final

Germany certainly had its chances as well. In the second match of the day, Struff versus Tallon Griekspoor, the German had the lead in the second set and appeared well on his way to forcing a deciding third match. Instead, Griekspoor, who is currently the better player between the two, seemed to want to win the match more and powered his way through Struff.

In the earlier match, Botic Van De Zandschulp defeated Altmaier, in three sets as well. Van De Zandschlup will be best remembered from this Davis Cup Final as the player who defeated Rafael Nadal in the Netherlands tie with Spain which helped lead to Spain dropping the tie and Nadal's retirement ceremony.

Now, though, the Dutch have reached the Davis Cup final for the first time in more than 100 years. They will not be the favorite in the final, though. Italy is led by Jannik Sinner while Australia was the runner-up the last two years and has a deep roster. Few expected the Netherlands to reach the final, however, so anything can happen.

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