Spain rallies without Alcaraz to Davis Cup semis
In Bologna's charged arena, a depleted Spanish squad turned doubles grit into a quarterfinal upset, edging past a firing Czech team and reigniting hopes of a first deep run since 2019.
In the pulsing heart of Bologna's SuperTennis Arena, Spain's Davis Cup quarterfinal against the Czech Republic unfolded under a shadow of absence and expectation Thursday. Without Carlos Alcaraz, the six-time Grand Slam champion who withdrew this week with a hamstring injury, the team leaned into their reserves to forge a path to the semifinals, their first since claiming the title in 2019. The indoor hard courts, slick and unforgiving, amplified every rally, turning the tie into a test of depth and nerve as the Czechs, seeded fourth and semifinal-bound last in 2014, pressed with youthful fire.
Singles split heightens the tension
The Czechs drew first blood when 20-year-old Jakub Mensik, towering over the baseline, hammered 20 aces to topple veteran Pablo Carreno Busta 7-5, 6-4. His booming serves, curving down-the-line to target the Spaniard's slice, exploited the surface's low bounce, forcing errors in prolonged crosscourt exchanges that left the crowd murmuring. Spain hit back immediately, as Jaume Munar notched his first Davis Cup singles win by outlasting No. 17 Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-4, redirecting aggressive returns with steady depth and inside-out forehands that disrupted the Czech's rhythm.
Munar's composure under the arena's rising hum eased the early strain of Alcaraz's void, leveling the tie at one and shifting the psychological weight to the doubles court. The split exposed vulnerabilities on the brisk indoor hard, where Mensik's power edged out experience, yet Munar's tactical patience hinted at Spain's adaptability, setting a taut stage for the decider amid the neutral-site fervor of the sixth Davis Cup Finals edition.
Doubles tiebreakers forge the comeback
Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez Portero then delivered, outlasting Tomas Machac and Jakub Mensik in grueling tiebreakers, 7-6 (8), 7-6 (8), to clinch the quarterfinal. Granollers' sharp net poaching paired with Martinez Portero's baseline anchors, weaving one–two combinations that absorbed Czech aggression and countered with underspin volleys slicing through passing attempts. As the second breaker intensified, their adjustments—frequent inside-in shifts for variety—frustrated Mensik's firepower, turning crowd cheers into a rising tide of momentum for the Spaniards.
The duo's resilience mirrored the team's broader arc, avenging the singles setback and lifting the pall of a season marked by injury doubts. On this surface that rewarded controlled rushes over unchecked pace, Spain's cohesion shone, propelling them past a valiant Czech pair whose inexperience surfaced in clutch lapses, and transforming Bologna's electric tension into a launchpad for redemption.
Semifinal awaits in Bologna's spotlight
Spain now eyes the winner of No. 2 Germany versus Argentina, who close the quarterfinals Thursday, a clash blending powerhouses on courts that favor versatile depth. In the other semifinal, top-ranked Italy—pursuing a third straight title and fourth overall—meets Belgium, though without world No. 2 Jannik Sinner, who is resting to rebuild. For the Spaniards, this advance unburdens a year of mounting pressure, their under-the-radar heroes redefining team tennis where shared resolve outshines solo brilliance, priming the finals for clashes that could echo with enduring heart into the weekend.
