Netherlands Eliminates Spain in Doubles

The Dutch turned into villains. The Netherlands, not initially favoured, eliminated Spain from the Davis Cup in the decisive doubles match (2-1). After Botic Van de Zandschulp's victory over the legendary Rafa Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz's win against Tallon Griekspoor, the pair of Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof defeated Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers (7-6 (4), 7-6 (3)), leaving Spain in the quarter-finals and ending Nadal's career.

The Dutch played a fascinating match, particularly Koolhof, who demonstrated why he is one of the world's best doubles players, with Van de Zandschulp as a crucial partner in the second tie-break, where his two volleys brought the Netherlands to the brink of the semi-finals.

Earlier, Spain had conceded the first set, squandering three break points, including a set point sent into the net by Alcaraz with a backhand, ultimately losing in the tiebreak, where Koolhof's winning returns were decisive.

The Spanish pair, with Nadal cheering from the bench, were 1-4 up in the second set, but the break was short-lived, and in the final tie-break, Van de Zandschulp hit two consecutive winning volleys, one at Alcaraz's body and another just on the line, giving the Netherlands three match points. On the first, Granollers hit the ball into the net, and it was over. The dream of the seventh salad bowl will have to wait, and Nadal's career ends this Tuesday at the Martín Carpena.