Candy for Spain in the draw for the Final 8 of the Davis Cup before Alcaraz-Zverev
The draw for the Final 8 of the Davis Cup, which will be held in Bologna from November 24 to 29, was benevolent with Spainwhich avoided the dangerous Canada and was paired with Austriathe ‘Cinderella’ of the eight best along with South Korea, which will be Italy’s adversary.
Spain, second seed, cannot deal with Italy, first seed and champion of the last three editions, until a final that both countries already played in the premiere of Bologna as a venue.
The Spanish team could face Austria, Canada, South Korea or Great Britain. It was Austria’s turn, with a foreseeable semifinal matchup against Germany. It would be time to see a clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverevif the Teutons get rid of an uncomfortable Britain. And perhaps a final fireworks against Jannik Sinner, leader of his country in 2023 and 2024, absent by personal decision in 2025.
The Spanish captain, David Ferrer, features adding to the list of players Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers, who did not participate in the 0-4 victory over Chile. In Santiago they debuted Rafa Jódar and Dani Méridadisputed the last and inconsequential point Martin Landalucethey closed the success of the doubles formed by Pedro Martínez and Jaume Munar.
Alcaraz premiered in 2022, it does not compete since the unpleasant memory of goodbye Rafa Nadal with defeat against the Netherlands in Malaga. He was in the squad for Bologna 2025, from which he dropped out after being injured the day before in the final against Jannik Sinner in the ATP Finals in Turin, tournament that once again precedes the closing of the Davis Cup. The Murcian has won five of his six singles, one of his two doubles.
Austria It is one of the revelations of this edition. They beat Japan at home in the first round, 2-3, and finished off their qualification by beating a very decimated Belgium at home by 3-1. It does not have any player in the top-100 of the world rankings.
His best tennis players are Sebastian Ofner30 years old and number 121, Jurij Rodionov, 27 and no. 139, Lukas Neumayer24 and nº 183, Joel Schwaerzler20 and mº 185. Captained by Jurgen Melzer. The doubles were formed Lucas Miedler30 years old and number 26 in the specialty, and Neil Oberleitner27 years old and number 39. In this modality they also have world number 38, Alexander Erler.
In the Final 8, from the quarterfinals to the final, the playoffs are no longer five points, but three, in a tie that takes place on the same day. It is maintained that all matches are best of three sets. The two numbers two open, the numbers one follows and, if there is a tie (1-1), the pass is elucidated by the doubles.
Spain will look for its seventh ‘silver salad bowl’. They have not won since the first edition was held in Madrid under the concentration format in the final phase, in 2019. The other titles were in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2011. The 2025 final was the fifth lost.
