Davis Cup finals 2024: Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz holds nerve to overcome another upset, Italy and Britain win opening group matches

Carlos Alcaraz returned to winning ways in the Davis Cup finals 2024 with a 6-7 (3), 6-1 win over Czech Republic's Tomas Machac in Valencia. This was the Spaniard’s first win since suffering a shocking second-round defeat at the US Open last month.  

However, it wasn’t a smooth victory for the World No. 3. He was staring at another upset when Machac clinched the opening set. The young lad did not panic and quickly turned things around with a dominant 6-1 win in the second set. In the final set, Alcaraz received a favour from his opponent as he retired due to cramps in the first game.  

Alcaraz’s victory gave Spain an unassailable 2-0 lead, with Roberto Bautista Agut having already defeated Jiri Lehecka 7-6 (1), 6-4. The four-time Grand Slam champion also won the doubles in three sets with Marcel Granollers-Pujol to give his country a 3-0 victory.  

"It's a special feeling for me, playing here in Valencia. I pushed him to the limit; obviously I don't want to get through to that way, but I'm really happy to give the point to Spain,” Alcaraz said on court after the match.

"I'm not used to playing here in Spain, but every time I do is a great feeling. Great points, great rallies, the people in the crowd were behind me. They were cheering me on always, and I'm really grateful for that,” he added.

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Italy clear opening round without top-ranked Jannik Sinner

Italy begin its title defense with a 2-1 win over Brazil in Group A in Bologna. They did not need the services of the newly crowned US Open champion and World No. 1 Jannik Sinner to kick off their campaign in style. Matteo Berrettini beat Joao Fonseca 6-1, 7-6 (5), while Matteo Arnaldi defeat Thiago Monteiro 7-5, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5).  

Britain also took a 2-0 lead over Finland in Manchester, England, in Group D, courtesy of Dan Evans and Billy Harris’ victories. Evans beat Eero Vasa 7-6 (3), 6-2 and Harris, defeated Otto Virtanen 6-4, 7-6 (4).

Also Read: India looks to register its first victory against Sweden in Davis Cup starting September 14