The last day of the Davis Cup First Round concluded on Sunday, with five more countries moving on to the quarterfinals in April. Canada, Italy, USA, Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic all cinched their spots in the next round.
Kazakhstan nabbed the first quarterfinals spot in Day 3, only playing four of the five scheduled matches for the round against Austria. Andrey Golubev (187) defeated Austrian Jurgen Melzer (30) in four sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 and 6-2. The final Kazakhstan-Austria match between Evgeny Korolev (211) and Andreas Haider-Maurer (107) was not played. Kazakhstan moved on to the quarterfinals to play against the Czech Republic.
It was a hard-fought round for the Czech Republic, which eventually beat out Switzerland 3-2. The team secured its quarterfinals spot against Kazakhstan during the fourth match between Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka (17) and Tomas Berdych (6). Berdych defeated Wawrinka in four sets, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6 and 7(5)-6. The fifth match win for Switzerland was too little too late, with Henri Laaksonen (289) taking home a symbolic win over Jiri Vesely (272) in three sets, 0-6, 6-3 and 6-1. The Czech Republic will face off against Kazakhstan in April.
Canada also cinched its spot in the quarterfinals when it defeated Spain during the fourth match. Canadian No.15-seeded Milos Raonic beat Spain's Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (82) in three sets, 6-3, 6-4 and 6-2. The win guaranteed Canada's spot in the next round. The two teams played a short two-set match next, with Albert Ramos (51) defeating Frank Dancevic (166) 7-5 and 6-4. Canada moved on to the quarterfinals to play against Italy.
Italy also guaranteed its quarterfinals spot during Day 3, defeating Croatia 3-2. Croatia's Marin Cilic (13) took the fourth match, beating Italian Andreas Seppi (18) in three sets, 6-3, 6-3 and 7-5. Italy's Fabio Fognini (44) then won the fifth and final match against Croatian Ivan Dodig (59) in four sets, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 and 6-4. Italy will play against Canada in April for the quarterfinals.
Team USA grabbed the final spot in the quarterfinals after defeating Brazil 3-2. Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci (36) defeated American John Isner (16) in a hard-fought five sets, 2-6, 6-4, 6(7)-7, 6-4 and 6-3. However, Sam Querrey (20) turned things around by defeating Thiago Alves (141) in four sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 and 7-6(3). The USA will play against Serbia, who moved on to the quarterfinals during Day 2, in the next round.
The Davis Cup Quarterfinals will be held on April 5- April 7 in four different locations. Canada, Argentina and Kazakhstan have already been chosen as three of the four venues.
Quarterfinals Matchups (April 5-7)
Canada vs. Italy- Played in Canada
Serbia vs. USA- Venue Undecided
France vs. Argentina- Played in Argentina
Kazakhstan vs. Czech Republic- Played in Kazakhstan
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
