The Netherlands secured a historic 2-0 win over Germany on Friday to reach their first-ever Davis Cup final, with captain Paul Haarhuis calling the achievement “unique.” The Dutch team triumphed in the semifinals with strong performances from Tallon Griekspoor and Botic van de Zandschulp.
Griekspoor sealed the win for the Netherlands, overcoming Jan-Lennard Struff in a hard-fought three-set match, 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 6-4, in the second singles rubber. The victory put the Netherlands into the final, eliminating Germany, a three-time Davis Cup champion, from contention.
Van de Zandschulp had set the stage for the victory earlier in the day, claiming a 6-4, 6-7 (12/14), 6-3 win over Daniel Altmaier in a tense opening match that lasted nearly three hours. The Dutchman fought off multiple match points to edge past Altmaier and put the Netherlands on track for its first Davis Cup final in 104 years of competition.
In a later semifinal, defending champions Italy, led by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, will face Australia on Saturday to determine the second finalist.
The Dutch team’s remarkable journey to the final included a victory over Rafael Nadal’s Spain in the quarterfinals, marking a stunning upset. Haarhuis, who played for the team during their last semifinal appearance 23 years ago, praised the team’s collective effort and belief in themselves. “What we’re doing is more unique than, let’s say, Italy, with the No. 1 player in the team,” Haarhuis said. “The key is the team effort, the belief in ourselves.”
Germany, who last lifted the Davis Cup trophy in 1993, was looking to reach a sixth final but fell short, with captain Michael Kohlmann acknowledging the Netherlands’ superior performance. “Today the Netherlands took their one or two chances more than us, they deserved the win,” Kohlmann said.
Van de Zandschulp’s match was a nail-biter, lasting two hours and 44 minutes as he fought through a tense second set to eventually clinch the win on his 10th match point. “It could have been easier, but I did it the hard way,” he admitted after the match.
In the second rubber, both Griekspoor and Struff showed exceptional serving, but it was Griekspoor who eventually gained the upper hand, saving two critical break points in the second set before securing a crucial break to take control. With Struff unable to capitalize on opportunities, Griekspoor wrapped up the match with his 25th ace, celebrating with teammates and the boisterous Dutch crowd.
“I felt like the level of the match was unbelievable, both of us were serving unreal,” Griekspoor said after the victory. “Big respect to him but very happy to make the final.”
The Netherlands will now look to secure their first Davis Cup title when they face either Italy or Australia in the final.
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